Swiss Politics

Swiss shooting clubs feel the pressure of army reform

This content was published on Jul 1, 2000 By far the biggest gathering of sportsmen and women in Switzerland, the National Shooting Festival, which only takes place every five years, is underway in canton Vaud. The organisers of this year’s shooting festival expect around 56,000 gun enthusiasts to head for the village of Bière to test their skills during the three weeks the…

Swiss Politics

Ogi wrestles the right at People’s Party congress

This content was published on Jul 1, 2000 Right-wingers in the People’s Party are unhappy with various directions in Switzerland’s foreign policy, including moves to join the United Nations, and plans to arm Swiss soldiers serving abroad. The influential member of the party’s Zurich section, Christoph Blocher, is the president of Action for a Neutral and Independent Switzerland, which is strongly against moves,…

Swiss Politics

This week in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 1, 2000 The government’s latest bid to break Switzerland’s isolationist stance and lead the country into the United Nations was launched by the foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, on Thursday. He announced the start of a wide-ranging consultation procedure, during which political parties, organisations and the business community will be invited to give their opinion on one of…

Geneva Social Summit: a step forward, or a setback?

This content was published on Jun 30, 2000 The United Nations said the special session of the General Assembly had made “significant advances” that would enable countries and international organisations to better implement the commitments made at the UN Social Summit in Copenhagen five years ago. The General Assembly session in Geneva was called to assess the progress made since 1995, and remove…

Swiss Politics

Swiss observers broadly satisfied with Zimbabwean elections

This content was published on Jun 30, 2000 The group of nine was sent to Zimbabwe by Swiss Interchurch Aid and the Bethlehem Mission to join forces with around 300 foreign observers trying to ensure free and fair elections. In the months leading up to Zimbabwe’s poll more than 30 people were killed in election-related violence blamed mostly on supporters of the ruling…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland takes further step towards joining UN

This content was published on Jun 29, 2000 Deiss said the goals of the UN were the same as those of Switzerland’s foreign policy, and that membership would have no impact on Switzerland’s centuries-old neutrality. “Neutrality is not a hindrance for Switzerland to join the UN. On the contrary: it is very good reason to do so,” he said. The foreign minister added…

Swiss Politics

Balkans Stability Pact row ended

This content was published on Jun 29, 2000 The announcement was made by the foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, on Thursday. The Balkans Stability Pact was set up in 1999 at the initiative of the European Union to oversee development aid projects in the Balkans. Its aims include the reconstruction of Kosovo, and the promotion of stability and human rights in the province, which…

Swiss Politics

Government presents UN membership proposal

This content was published on Jun 29, 2000 It said the goals of the UN were the same as those of Switzerland’s foreign policy, and that membership would have no impact on Switzerland’s centuries-old neutrality. The government added that current estimates put the additional cost of UN membership at SFr50-60 million per year. The statements were made on Thursday at the start of…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland and UEFA fall out over Yugoslav Euro2000 prize money

This content was published on Jun 28, 2000 Yugoslavia had a successful run in the opening round of the tournament, which is co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. Despite having a player sent off in every game, the team managed a place in the quarterfinals, but were eliminated after losing 6-1 to the Netherlands. All eight quarter-finalists get SFr 7.5 million, which is…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland ratifies convention condemning child labour

This content was published on Jun 28, 2000 The economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, handed over the instruments of ratification to the director of the Geneva-based ILO, Juan Somavia, in the presence of 200 children. The officials then launched one thousand balloons into the air to celebrate Switzerland’s accession to the convention. Prostitution, forced labour, illegal trafficking in children, recruitment of children for the…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Swiss shooting clubs feel the pressure of army reform

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Ogi wrestles the right at People’s Party congress

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This week in Switzerland

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Geneva Social Summit: a step forward, or a setback?

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Swiss observers broadly satisfied with Zimbabwean elections

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Switzerland takes further step towards joining UN

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Balkans Stability Pact row ended

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Government presents UN membership proposal

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Switzerland and UEFA fall out over Yugoslav Euro2000 prize money

More

Switzerland ratifies convention condemning child labour

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