Swiss Politics

Bush faces a hostile Europe

This content was published on May 22, 2002 Behind the diplomats’ smiles and red carpet treatment, Bush is likely to have a tough time persuading his European Union counterparts to support, or at least water down their opposition to, key aspects of United States’ policy. The visit has already drawn protests in Berlin, where some 20,000, mostly peaceful anti-war demonstrators took to the…

Bush visit to Europe draws protests

This content was published on May 22, 2002 The visit has drawn headlines in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe, as observers monitor the American president’s effort to gain support, despite differences on topics ranging from policy in the Middle East to the environmental issues outlined in the Kyoto Protocol. A top priority for Bush is broadening the international effort to stem terrorism. The…

Swiss Politics

Saudi King Fahd arrives in Switzerland

This content was published on May 21, 2002 The 80-year-old monarch landed at Geneva’s Cointrin airport on Monday night with a train of at least six “large” jets transporting several hundred staff and courtiers, and the royal luggage. Two of the aircraft, including a Boeing 747, will remain at the airport for the duration of his stay, which remains unspecified. King Fahd, who…

Swiss Politics

Swiss-organised conference sends message to Kabul

This content was published on May 20, 2002 The conference, which was set up to formulate recommendations for the upcoming traditional assembly, the Loya Jirga, ended in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday. The main points addressed in the meeting were the improvement of the security situation, the Loya Jirga election process, the reform of the constitution, national reconciliation and the promotion of…

Swiss Politics

Patience is the key for Albania

This content was published on May 20, 2002 Albania was the last of Europe’s former communist countries to turn towards democracy and a free market economy. For 50 years it remained completely closed to the outside world, maintaining diplomatic ties only with China. Their totalitarian leader, Enver Hoxha, told the Albanian people that they were living in the world’s only paradise. Religion was…

Swiss Politics

Illegal immigrants demand regularisation

This content was published on May 18, 2002 All European organisations believe that legal recognition of undocumented foreigners is the solution to improving their situation, said Hannes Reiser of the Swiss Movement for Illegal Immigrants (SMII). Representatives from 11 European nations are meeting in the Swiss capital this weekend to discuss how to improve the lot of foreigners in legal limbo. “This meeting…

Swiss Politics

Swiss keep tabs on “holidaying” foreign troops

This content was published on May 14, 2002 British Royal Marines have been coming to the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Bernese Oberland – ostensibly as tourists – since the late 1970s to conduct high-altitude exercises, albeit out of uniform and unarmed. They have been doing so apparently without the knowledge of the Swiss defence minister and the army chief of staff. Appearing before…

Swiss Politics

Pro-neutrality supporters say no to closer EU cooperation

This content was published on May 11, 2002 At an assembly meeting of the Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland (CINS) in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Saturday, around 1000 members unanimously approved a resolution calling on the Swiss government not to sign up to the Schengen agreement. The accord, which has been signed by a majority of EU member states, abolishes…

Swiss Politics

Fragile hope for Myanmar after Suu Kyi release

This content was published on May 8, 2002 Suu Kyi’s release on Monday after 19 months of house arrest is being seen as a definite sign that one of the world’s most repressive regimes is slowly loosening its grip. However, Glen Hill, coordinator of Swissaid projects in Myanmar, told swissinfo that the move was not tantamount to a shift towards democracy. “The release…

Swiss Politics

Voters hail Chirac victory

This content was published on May 5, 2002 “Of course, I’m extremely pleased with the result,” said Thérèse Espinet, the representative for Chirac’s Rally for the Republic Party (RPR) in Switzerland. “Around midday on Sunday, there was a queue of people 50 metres long in front of the [French] consulate in Geneva waiting to vote.” Not only did Chirac win 89.6 per cent…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Bush faces a hostile Europe

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Bush visit to Europe draws protests

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Saudi King Fahd arrives in Switzerland

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Swiss-organised conference sends message to Kabul

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Patience is the key for Albania

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Illegal immigrants demand regularisation

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Swiss keep tabs on “holidaying” foreign troops

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Pro-neutrality supporters say no to closer EU cooperation

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Fragile hope for Myanmar after Suu Kyi release

More

Voters hail Chirac victory

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