Swiss Politics

Irish Senate approves bilateral accords

This content was published on Nov 21, 2001 The Irish government had already said yes last week, and no surprises were expected form the senators on Wednesday. “The five or six representatives present all voted for the accords,” said Switzerland’s ambassador to Eire, Eric Pfister. The members of the Dail, the lower house, still have to give their approval, something that should happen…

Swiss Politics

Swiss move to ease citizenship path for young foreigners

This content was published on Nov 21, 2001 Children born in Switzerland to immigrant parents – the so-called second generation – who have a residency permit and who have gone to school in Switzerland for at least five years should benefit from simplified procedures, according to the authorities. Under the proposals, presented by the justice ministry on Wednesday, these young foreigners must have…

Swiss Politics

France gives thumbs up to bilateral accords

This content was published on Nov 21, 2001 The French parliament’s approval of the accords – nearly a year after they were due to be implemented – means they are likely to come into force in early 2002. After a lengthy debate on Tuesday evening, the lower house voted in favour of the accords, which cover cross-border trade and transport issues. Several deputies…

Swiss Politics

Swiss pensioner receives prize for international relief work

This content was published on Nov 19, 2001 The SFr5,000 prize, awarded annually by a Swiss women’s interest group to individuals or organisations who help other women around the world, was given to 72-year-old Elisabeth Neuenschwander in recognition for her work with Afghan refugees living in camps in Pakistan. Neuenschwander first travelled to Pakistan in 1978, when she was asked to travel to…

Swiss Politics

Anthrax attacks spur new efforts to control biological weapons

This content was published on Nov 19, 2001 Six months after Washington rejected enforcement measures for the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, the US is expected to spell out a new approach to enforcing the treaty, during a three-week meeting which kicks off in Geneva on Monday. The Bush administration said it feared the agreement would put American national security at risk, as well…

Swiss Politics

Ethnic Albanian leader claims Kosovo election victory

This content was published on Nov 18, 2001 Although official results were only due to be announced on Monday, the nationalist leader said it was clear his Democratic League of Kosovo party had won a mandate which would allow it to govern effectively for the three-year term of the legislature. “We take this opportunity once again to call for the formal recognition of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss army plans new elite force

This content was published on Nov 18, 2001 “Switzerland does not have an elite force for foreign missions,” said Philippe Zahno, a spokesman for the army’s Chief of Staff. The proposal to train several dozen soldiers for the unit falls in line with the government’s army reform plans, Zahno added. Main mission The elite troops’ main mission would be to come to the…

Swiss Politics

Missing environmentalist awarded human rights prize

This content was published on Nov 18, 2001 Manser’s family were on hand at a ceremony in Bern to hear that he had been awarded the International Society for Human Rights prize for Switzerland. Interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, said in a statement the ethnologist and ecologist deserved the distinction because his work was above all dedicated to helping people. Manser spent six years…

Swiss Politics

Swiss plan further aid projects for Afghanistan

This content was published on Nov 16, 2001 A delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation this week returned from a mission to Central Asia to assess the progress of humanitarian programmes for Afghanistan. The organisation has already sent three air cargo loads of aid via Turkmenistan – mostly tents, sleeping bags, blankets and food – for Afghans fleeing war and…

Swiss Politics

Up to 180,000 work illegally in Switzerland, survey says

This content was published on Nov 16, 2001 The Neuchâtel-based institute carried out the survey for the federal refugee office. The SFMS warned on Friday these results must be considered with caution. They do, however, give a better picture of the problem as a larger group of employers was polled than previously, according to the forum. More than 800 companies took part anonymously…

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