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Swiss Politics

Swiss president predicts big yes vote on EU bilaterals

This content was published on May 15, 2000 Ogi fielded about two dozen questions in Switzerland’s three main national languages and English, during the one hour question period in Berne. He attempted to dispel fears that the seven accords pose a threat to Switzerland’s neutrality or prosperity. The agreements deal with everything from land and air transport to the free movement of people.…

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Political peacemaking efforts ahead of party talks

This content was published on May 14, 2000 Leaders of two of the government parties, the centre-right Radicals and the Christian Democrats, have been trying to play the role of peace-maker. They are to meet the Social Democrats on Monday and were scheduled to meet the People’s Party on Thursday. They are seeking a reconciliation between the Social Democrats and the People’s Party…

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Blocher denounced by allies over bilateral accords with Europe

This content was published on May 14, 2000 Blocher’s movement turned on him after he urged members not to oppose the bilateral accords with the European Union. The movement rejected Blocher’s plea saying it would recommend that Switzerland vote against the bilaterals, which go to a nationwide vote on May 21. Blocher had said he did not believe the bilateral accords with the…

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Blocher tones down opposition to bilateral accords

This content was published on May 13, 2000 Addressing in Berne the movement for a neutral and independent Switzerland, of which he is president, Blocher urged members not to make an issue out of the bilaterals. He said they were simply about getting a better deal for Switzerland, and had nothing to do with Swiss neutrality or sovereignty. Instead, he said members should…

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Swiss Politics

Moratorium demanded on sale of genetically-modified organisms

This content was published on May 12, 2000 The commission said experiments with GMOs should be allowed to proceed, but only on condition that they do not lead to the immediate commercial release of genetically-altered products. The ethics commission shied away from recommending a time limit for the proposed moratorium, but made it clear that GMOs should be kept off the market until…

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Swiss Politics

Senate committee votes for Swedish hardware

This content was published on May 12, 2000 The committee’s decision comes amid a growing debate about the future size and cost of the army, which is facing a major shake-up. Explaining the committee’s decision, its speaker, Pierre Paupe said two-thirds of the Swiss still supported the existence of an army. He added that an army without weapons would cease to be an…

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Swiss Politics

Berne opposes Russian expulsion from Council of Europe

This content was published on May 11, 2000 Foreign ministers from the Council’s member countries were responding to a call by the organisation’s parliamentary assembly to initiate steps to expel Russia because of its record in the breakaway republic of Chechnya. Switzerland was represented at the meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday by the state secretary in the foreign ministry, Franz von Daeniken. He…

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Swiss Politics

Taiwan businessman may have been making regular Scud deliveries

This content was published on May 10, 2000 The Federal Prosecutor’s Office said the man would stay in custody while investigations continued. The 44 year-old, whose name has not been disclosed by the authorities, was arrested on April 6 at Zurich’s Kloten airport, when he was alleged to be carrying Scud parts from Hong Kong to Tripoli. Upon searching his baggage, police found…

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Swiss Politics

Army reforms threaten Swiss armaments maker

This content was published on May 10, 2000 Wicki made the comment at RUAG’s first news conference since it became a limited company at the beginning of last year. Fewer orders by the Swiss army last year led to a four per cent drop in turnover to SFr962 million, and Wicki said he expects the proposed reforms to lead to a further, massive…

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Swiss Politics

Switzerland commemorates World Red Cross Day

This content was published on May 8, 2000 With this in mind, at this year’s event, artists were asked to give form to their vision of the Red Cross organisation. Together with members of the public, musicians, clowns and magicians set the tone for Monday’s celebration in a circus tent set up outside the Swiss federal parliament in Berne. The public took part…

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