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Swiss Politics

Hundreds demonstrate against forced repatriation of refugees

This content was published on Jun 10, 2000 Among the protestors were many foreigners and their representatives such as Kurds and Exile-Iranians. The demonstration had been organised by the Swiss human rights group “augenauf”. The protest march which started at Zurich’s Helviaplatz finished in front of the building of the Federal Refugee Office. There, the protestors also demanded the lifting of the ban…

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The week in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 9, 2000 The past week saw parliament holding a major debate about the government’s policy towards the European Union. The issue has gained momentum since voters last month approved a series of bilateral accords with Brussels, prompting renewed calls by supporters to press ahead with plans for full EU membership. The nine-hour debate in the House of…

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Swiss Politics

Expo 2000 celebrates Swiss day

This content was published on Jun 9, 2000 In his opening speech, Ogi insisted that “Switzerland exists”, a reference to an exhibition in Seville eight years ago that claimed just the opposite. From the inside, Switzerland was “an attractive country offering good quality of life”, Ogi continued. From the outside, he argued that Switzerland was open, cooperative, trustworthy and solid. At the end…

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Switzerland asked to stop payments to Yugoslav football team

This content was published on Jun 9, 2000 Kosovar associations in Belgium and Holland, where Euro 2000 is being held, have unsuccessfully challenged Yugoslavia’s right to take part in the tournament. However, a court in Brussels said any payments made to the Yugoslav team for qualifying would be in breach of European Union sanctions against Belgrade. But the European football federation, UEFA, which…

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Swiss Politics

End in sight to Stability Pact row

This content was published on Jun 9, 2000 At the moment, Switzerland only has observer status in the Pact which oversees the use of development aid in south east Europe. During informal talks in the Greek city of Thessaloniki, the Swiss delegation were told that their full membership would soon be approved by foreign ministers representing the existing member states. Norway, Canada and…

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Swiss Politics

UN membership will not affect Swiss neutrality, says Deiss

This content was published on Jun 8, 2000 Addressing the Swiss foreign political association, Deiss argued that joining the world body would not jeopardise Swiss sovereignty, nor its independence. He said the reasons for Switzerland’s non-membership were no longer valid, and the time was ripe for the country to join the UN. His comments come against a background of increased pressure for Swiss…

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Swiss Politics

China snubs Swiss president

This content was published on Jun 8, 2000 A spokesman for Ogi said the president had received an official invitation from the Chinese government but that it did not include a meeting with the Chinese president, Jiang Zemin. “Ogi will not go to China if he is not received by the Chinese president,” said Ogi spokesman, Oswald Sigg. “He’ll only travel to China…

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Swiss Politics

House gives government final say on timing of negotiations with EU

This content was published on Jun 7, 2000 The House overwhelmingly rejected a people’s initiative calling on the government to open membership talks with the EU immediately. One hundred and thirteen deputies voted against, with 61 votes for and nine abstentions. The House later voted by 99 to 84 in favour of a counter-proposal giving the government a free hand in deciding when…

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Swiss Politics

Parliament debates EU policy

This content was published on Jun 7, 2000 The first is a people’s initiative (a proposal which will have to be put to a nationwide referendum after collecting over 100,000 valid signatures) calling on the government to open membership talks with the EU immediately. The house is also looking at a government counter-proposal reiterating its long-term aim to join the EU, but asking…

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Swiss Politics

Senate backs national exhibition

This content was published on Jun 6, 2000 The voting was 35 in favour and two against, although the decision was taken apparently without much enthusiasm. “We do not have any choice and must accept this guarantee grudgingly,” said Peter Bieri from canton Zug. He underlined that abandoning the project would cost SFr344 million. A parliamentarian from Glarus, This Jenny, demanded that lessons…

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