Swiss Politics

Cabinet passes “Yes to Europe” decision to parliament

This content was published on May 1, 2000 At its weekly meeting, the seven-member cabinet said it was sticking to its 18-month old counter-proposal to the initiative, which underlines the government’s long-term aim of Switzerland joining the EU, but rejects any attempt to force it into bringing forward its timetable. The cabinet showed a united front on Wednesday. It is considered to be…

Swiss Politics

Swiss government approves army reforms

This content was published on May 1, 2000 The reforms will reduce the number of members on active duty from the current level of 360,000 to a maximum of 120,000. This will be achieved in part by releasing older members from their obligation to serve: the age until which a member must serve will also be lowered from 42 to a maximum of…

Swiss Politics

Thousands of Kosovo refugees expected to disappear to escape repatriation

This content was published on Apr 30, 2000 The head of the Swiss Federal Office for Refugees, Urs Hadorn (pictured), says that he expects nearly half of the Kosovo-Albanian refugees in Switzerland will try to escape government repatriation. Hadorn’s statement coincides with the second deadline for voluntary repatriation to Kosovo. In an interview with the SonntagsZeitung, Hadorn admitted that of the estimated 34,000…

Swiss Politics

Brunner sets out conditions for party leadership

This content was published on Apr 29, 2000 Christiane Brunner (pictured) has said she is prepared to run for the presidency of the Social Democratic Party, but only if key reforms are undertaken. The minister in the Geneva parliament said these “structural reforms” had to allow the party leadership to respond more quickly to political changes. Brunner also called for greater involvement of…

Swiss Politics

Parliament adds weight to campaign for EU treaties

This content was published on Apr 25, 2000 Virtually the whole Swiss parliament has joined a multi-party committee urging Swiss voters to say yes to the bilateral accords with the European Union. The issue comes before a national referendum on May 21. Opinion polls are predicting a clear majority for the accords, which are designed to remove any economic discrimination between Switzerland and…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland takes stock of nuclear non-proliferation treaty

This content was published on Apr 25, 2000 Switzerland’s delegation attending the United Nations conference on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in New York will be taking stock of progress, since the conference was set up in 1970. Switzerland signed the non-proliferation treaty in 1977 making it a full member of the conference. The Swiss delegation headed by the permanent representative to the UN,…

Swiss Politics

Couchepin under fire for outspoken comments

This content was published on Apr 25, 2000 The Swiss economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, has drawn criticism for comments made about the planned reforms of the military at the weekend. It is not so much what he said as the fact that he said it which is being attacked. Couchepin argued in a newspaper article on Sunday that a new-style Swiss army, leaner…

Swiss Politics

Amnesty International wants halt to repatriation of Rwandan refugees

This content was published on Apr 25, 2000 The Swiss branch of the human rights group, Amnesty International, has called for a halt to the repatriation of Rwandans living in Switzerland whose requests for asylum have been turned down. The appeal is based on a damning report of conditions in Rwanda, compiled after a government decision in February to send the asylum-seekers home.…

Swiss Politics

Ogi warns army reform won’t come cheap

This content was published on Apr 22, 2000 The defence minister, Adolf Ogi, has warned that his proposed army reforms are not likely to lead to a reduction in military spending. Ogi told Le Temps newspaper that the smaller-scale army could cost even more than its present-day equivalent. Under the plans the number of troops serving in the army will be reduced from…

Swiss Politics

Cantons and government give green light to Kosovo repatriation deadline

This content was published on Apr 21, 2000 The government and cantons have agreed to keep the May 31 deadline for the voluntary repatriation of refugees from Kosovo, who arrived before June 1999. Switzerland is due to start forcibly returning refugees after the deadline passes. The decision follows an agreement sealed earlier this month by the justice minister, Ruth Metzler, with the United…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Cabinet passes “Yes to Europe” decision to parliament

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Swiss government approves army reforms

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Thousands of Kosovo refugees expected to disappear to escape repatriation

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Brunner sets out conditions for party leadership

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Parliament adds weight to campaign for EU treaties

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Switzerland takes stock of nuclear non-proliferation treaty

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Couchepin under fire for outspoken comments

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Amnesty International wants halt to repatriation of Rwandan refugees

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Ogi warns army reform won’t come cheap

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Cantons and government give green light to Kosovo repatriation deadline

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