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Swiss Politics

Northern Iraq seen as safe for repatriations of asylum seekers

This content was published on Sep 7, 2000 The refugee appeals commission said on Thursday that forced repatriations of people whose asylum requests had been rejected was now acceptable. It added, however, that each case should be treated individually. The commission said the two parts of northern Iraq, controlled by the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, could be…

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Swiss hopeful of Red Cross emblem solution

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 Two days of consultations, hosted by Switzerland in Geneva, ended without any apparent breakthrough on the issue. Resolution of the problem would pave the way for the admission of Israel into the Red Cross fold. “No country has closed the door to the adoption of a third emblem,” said the Swiss ambassador, Nicolas Michel, who…

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Swiss Politics

Initiative calls for more choice for voters

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 Supporters of the initiative argued that voters should be allowed to approve or turn down parts of a proposal, and not have to take an all-or-nothing approach. The initiative was launched in the wake of a vote on revising the old age pension scheme. Although that proposal was accepted, centre-left parties argued that many voted…

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Swiss Politics

Direct democracy – Swiss style

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 A people’s initiative provides members of the public with an opportunity to influence political decision-making at the highest level. Introduced in 1891, this right is, however, limited to changes to the constitution. It takes at least 100,000 valid signatures to force a nationwide vote on a proposal. The signatures have to be collected within 18…

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Swiss Politics

Government signals nationwide vote on Swisscom privatisation

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 It hopes the decision, announced on Wednesday, will prevent lengthy political and legal wrangling. Legal experts had argued it would be unconstitutional for the government to give up its majority share in Swisscom or introduce postal banking services without the approval of the Swiss people and cantons. The government said a parliamentary debate on whether…

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Swiss Politics

Idea of e-government gathers pace

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 The cabinet on Wednesday earmarked more than SFr50 million for the measures over the next four years. A limited number of electronic services will come into effect next year. The aim is to enable citizens to get information from the authorities over the Internet rather than over an office counter or via conventional mail or…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss divided over benefits of world poverty summit

This content was published on Sep 6, 2000 More than 150 world leaders are in attendance, making it the largest gathering of its kind. Ogi’s speech, scheduled for Thursday, will mark the first time a Swiss president has addressed the UN General Assembly. He is also expected to sign the UN charter on children’s rights. Much of the debate at the summit is…

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Swiss Politics

Switzerland seeks compromise in row over Red Cross emblem

This content was published on Sep 5, 2000 The exploratory conference in Geneva of the Red Cross movement is organised by Switzerland, which is the depository nation of the Convention. The aim is have a new emblem adopted next month. The latest dispute over a third emblem was sparked by the national Red Cross societies in Israel and the United States. They want…

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Swiss Politics

Ski federation suspends Accola

This content was published on Sep 5, 2000 The director of the federation, Jean-Daniel Mudry, sent Accola home from a week-long promotional session with the team’s sponsors and equipment suppliers in the resort of Zermatt. Accola, 33, was late for the start of the session on Sunday. He has been suspended with immediate effect and indefinitely. “In the past, Paul Accola on various…

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Swiss and Indian officials discuss ways of strengthening ties

This content was published on Sep 4, 2000 Officials said they were also looking at the conflict in Kashmir, and the issue of nuclear proliferation. A Swiss diplomat said India’s economic liberalisation programme would be at the forefront of the talks. Switzerland is one of the top 10 foreign investors in the country. Switzerland is also expected to renew its call for India…

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