Swiss Politics

Deiss and Arafat hold talks in the West Bank

This content was published on Mar 23, 2001 During their hour-long meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Deiss reportedly condemned all forms of terrorism and stressed the importance of respecting international human rights. According to a Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman, Deiss assured Arafat that Switzerland would continue to offer its support to the Palestinian people. In addition, Deiss informed Arafat on…

Swiss Politics

Swiss investigating more gold imports from Yugoslavia

This content was published on Mar 22, 2001 The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) confirmed on Thursday that it was trying to trace the movement of the gold, valued at SFr1.4 million ($820,000), which was sold in Switzerland in 1999. Seco is already investigating the import of a separate shipment of 173 kilogrammes of gold, which was imported through Zurich last year.…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland names new ambassador to US

This content was published on Mar 22, 2001 Blickenstorfer, a career diplomat, was formerly ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and several Gulf states, and is known as a specialist on Arab affairs. He has also served as deputy ambassador in the US. The changeover is part of the normal rotation of diplomatic staff, and comes as Defago finishes his five-year tenure in Washington. Defago…

Swiss Politics

Parliament insists on inquiry into Swiss links with the Stasi

This content was published on Mar 20, 2001 During Tuesday’s parliamentary debate in Lugano, the House unanimously reiterated its support for a proposal to commission a report by a historian on relations between Switzerland and former East Germany. Under the proposal, an expert would also look into the activities of the Stasi, East Germany’s former secret service, in Switzerland. The mandate for the…

Swiss Politics

UN Human Rights chief stepping down over meagre resources

This content was published on Mar 20, 2001 Speaking to reporters after her resignation speech on the first day of the session, Robinson said she was going because resources in her department were so meagre that they had become a major obstacle to her work. She told delegates she believed she could do more to promote human rights “outside the constraints” of the…

Swiss Politics

Samaranch seeks to defuse row over honours

This content was published on Mar 19, 2001 In a number of press interviews, Samaranch made clear that he had never sought the Citizenship of Honour, the city’s highest civic award: “I don’t aspire to this distinction. I never asked for anything and don’t expect anything.” Samaranch’s comments come amid speculation that the Lausanne municipal authorities are intending only to give the Spaniard…

Swiss Politics

Swisscoy members pulled away from fighting in Macedonia

This content was published on Mar 16, 2001 A Swisscoy spokesman, Felix Endrich, said five members of its mission had been moved ten kilometres away from the Macedonian city of Tetovo towards the city of Erebino. According to Endrich, Swisscoy’s logistical platform was located very close to the Macedonian military barracks in Tetovo, which were the target of shooting attacks by Albanian rebels…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland lays groundwork for future EU relations

This content was published on Mar 16, 2001 The announcement came following preliminary talks between the two groups in Brussels on Friday. The Swiss have made it clear since February that they want to be party to the full Schengen and Dublin agreements, which are chiefly concerned with border and asylum issues. The negotiators are seeking to exploit a window of opportunity for…

Swiss Politics

Swiss foundation honours work of Afghan doctor

This content was published on Mar 16, 2001 The prize was set up in memory of the former St Gallen police chief, Paul Grüninger, who during the Second World War saved the lives of several hundred Jews and other refugees. It is awarded to individuals or organisations deemed to have made a significant contribution towards safeguarding the freedom and dignity of others. In…

Swiss Politics

Controversy over how Lausanne should honour outgoing IOC president

This content was published on Mar 16, 2001 Lausanne calls itself the Olympic capital, and Samaranch has done as much as anyone to put the IOC and Lausanne on the map. Some would argue that his contribution merits the city’s highest civic award, the Citizen of Honour. But reports say the municipal authorities intend to give the Spaniard no more than the “Keys…

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Swiss Politics

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Deiss and Arafat hold talks in the West Bank

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Swiss investigating more gold imports from Yugoslavia

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Switzerland names new ambassador to US

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Parliament insists on inquiry into Swiss links with the Stasi

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UN Human Rights chief stepping down over meagre resources

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Samaranch seeks to defuse row over honours

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Swisscoy members pulled away from fighting in Macedonia

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Switzerland lays groundwork for future EU relations

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Swiss foundation honours work of Afghan doctor

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Controversy over how Lausanne should honour outgoing IOC president

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