Swiss Politics

Ex Swiss army major general, Däniker, dies

This content was published on Sep 3, 2000 In 1988, Däniker was chief of staff for training operations at the then Military Department (now ministry of defence). Oswald Sigg, a spokesman for the ministry, confirmed he died on the night between Friday and Saturday. Sigg said Däniker was “an eminent military personality, who was one of the precursors of the opening up of…

Swiss Politics

Aceh peace talks to be held in Geneva

This content was published on Sep 3, 2000 The negotiations in Geneva will focus on requirements for formally extending a ceasefire in the province. The two sides signed the original ceasefire in Geneva last May. Since it came into force on June 2, the truce has been marred by about 70 killings, but has succeeded in stemming the worst of the violence in…

Swiss Politics

UN nominates Ziegler to oversee right to food

This content was published on Sep 3, 2000 The former Social Democrat parliamentarian and sociologist confirmed newspaper reports on Sunday that the Geneva appointment was effective immediately. Ziegler said he would have three years during which to consult UN member countries and prepare a clause, to be introduced into the human rights charter, stating the right to food as a basic human right.…

Swiss Politics

Government parties embrace fight against right-wing extremism

This content was published on Sep 1, 2000 The Christian Democrats, Radical Party, the Social Democrats and the People’s Party gather regularly throughout the year to discuss topical issues. Neo-Nazism and the country’s relations with the European Union topped the meeting’s agenda. Franco Cavalli, the group’s spokesman, reported that the government parties were united in their opposition to right-wing extremism, but were divided…

Swiss Politics

Government comes out against voting reforms

This content was published on Aug 31, 2000 Outlining the government’s opposition to the proposal on Thursday, the justice minister, Ruth Metzler, said it amounted to little more than a cosmetic change to a voting system, which was in need of wider reform. The initiative calls for a new law to enable voters to accept or reject certain parts of a proposal in…

Swiss Politics

EU treaties delayed, but authorities play down impact

This content was published on Aug 31, 2000 José Bossard of the Integration Office, which is responsible for all aspects of European integration, said on Thursday it was not possible for the parliaments of all 15 EU countries to meet deadline, but said the impact of the delay had been overplayed. He told swissinfo that Switzerland would go ahead with the implementation of…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland’s bilateral treaties with EU delayed

This content was published on Aug 31, 2000 A spokesman for Switzerland’s European integration bureau told German-language Swiss radio (DRS) on Thursday the treaties would not be implemented before next spring at the earliest. The seven mainly commercial accords, covering issues such as transport, the free movement of people and research, had to be ratified by the parliaments of all 15 EU member…

Swiss Politics

Government chooses image-maker abroad

This content was published on Aug 30, 2000 Matyassy will take on the job as soon as he can leave his current post as secretary-general of his party. He will be working alongside Presence Switzerland’s president, who is also an SAirGroup executive, Paul Reutlinger. Presence Switzerland will take over the role previously held by the Co-ordination Commission for the Presence of Switzerland Abroad…

Swiss Politics

Government urged to spend more to fight racism

This content was published on Aug 28, 2000 In the statement on Monday, the group said it was alarmed at the growth of right-wing extremism, and that more had to be done – and as soon as possible – to combat intolerance. The group’s president, the parliamentarian, Rosmarie Dormann, has demanded a meeting with the cabinet ministers Ruth Dreifuss and Kaspar Villiger, during…

Swiss Politics

Swiss ambassadors to focus on economic diplomacy

This content was published on Aug 25, 2000 The conference ended with an address by the Swiss president, Adolf Ogi, in his hometown of Kandersteg, in the Bernese Oberland. The trip was a welcome breath of fresh air for the ambassadors, who had spent a week discussing EU and UN membership, and the need for more economic ties with other countries. One of…

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Ex Swiss army major general, Däniker, dies

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Aceh peace talks to be held in Geneva

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UN nominates Ziegler to oversee right to food

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Government parties embrace fight against right-wing extremism

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Government comes out against voting reforms

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EU treaties delayed, but authorities play down impact

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Switzerland’s bilateral treaties with EU delayed

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Government chooses image-maker abroad

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Government urged to spend more to fight racism

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Swiss ambassadors to focus on economic diplomacy

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