Swiss Politics

Sharp rise in arms exports

This content was published on Feb 3, 2009 The Swiss arms export market was valued at SFr721,968 ($620,713) million in 2008 compared with SFr464,479 in the previous year, the Federal Customs Office said on Tuesday. Exports to Saudi Arabia rose from SFr485,294 in 2007 to SFr32 million in 2008. Elsewhere in the Middle East – the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait –…

Geneva ready to take Guantánamo prisoners

This content was published on Feb 2, 2009 The cantonal authorities said they wanted to reinforce Geneva’s reputation as a humanitarian city, but said any former inmate of the military prison at the US airbase on Cuba would have to be innocent and have had no contacts with terrorism. On January 21 the government said it welcomed a decision by the new president,…

Swiss Politics

Ticino wary despite boon of EU labour deal

This content was published on Feb 2, 2009 But voters remain wary of closer ties with the EU as Ticino’s economy is exposed to strong competition from neighbouring northern Italy. A majority of the electorate in southern Switzerland is likely to reject the continuation and extension of a labour accord with the EU in a nationwide vote on February 8. Pressure on salaries…

Swiss Politics

Marty calls for collective responsibility on Guantánamo

This content was published on Feb 1, 2009 The Swiss senator told swissinfo that the “illegal prison” on the Cuban island was a sign of an arbitrary and inefficient policy against terrorism. Marty said the international community needed to find a humanitarian solution for the camp’s inmates. The US has come under heavy pressure from Europe to close the prison and while European…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard says bank wage gap is “too large”

This content was published on Jan 31, 2009 “For me, it is clear that the wage gap between the banking sector and other sectors has become too large,” Leuthard told the Berner Zeitung newspaper on Saturday. “Bankers’ wages must fall, that is clear for me.” Her comments come after UBS announced a SFr2 billion ($1.72 billion) bonus package for its employees despite losing…

Swiss Politics

Human rights in Switzerland fail to impress

This content was published on Jan 31, 2009 The criticism was levelled at a meeting in Bern this week involving the Swiss foreign ministry, the United Nations and advocacy groups including Amnesty International. “People still think Switzerland is perfect,” said Daniel Bolomey, secretary general of Amnesty International Switzerland. “OK, it’s not bad, but we have problems with racism and attitudes toward immigration and…

Swiss Politics

Iraq faces test-case provincial election

This content was published on Jan 30, 2009 The election – the first since 2005 – will measure the popularity of Iraq’s main coalitions and set the tone for parliamentary elections in late 2009 as US forces stand poised to withdraw from the country. Holding the ballot is seen as an important sign that Iraq has emerged from the worst of the violence…

Swiss Politics

Swiss tackle protectionism at Davos meeting

This content was published on Jan 30, 2009 Leuthard was speaking to swissinfo in Davos, where she has been attending the World Economic Forum’s annual summit. On Saturday she meets representatives of more than 20 countries on the sidelines of the WEF to convince them that free trade is one solution to the economic downturn. The meeting will focus on this year’s agenda…

Swiss Politics

Activist warns of Sri Lanka “massacres”

This content was published on Jan 30, 2009 Sri Lankan troops are battling to finish one of Asia’s longest wars, having won a series of major battles and swiftly encircled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the northeast of the Indian Ocean island. Sri Lanka’s president urged the rebels on Friday to allow the estimated 250,000 civilians trapped in the northern…

Swiss Politics

Money matters top Merz’s bilateral talks

This content was published on Jan 30, 2009 Merz told Mexican President Felipe Calderón that Switzerland, as a major financial centre, would be prepared to provide assistance in resolving the crisis and actively engage in adapting international financial structures. The leaders said they were happy with a double taxation agreement signed last year and discussed the Free Trade Agreement concluded between EFTA (the…

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Sharp rise in arms exports

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Geneva ready to take Guantánamo prisoners

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Ticino wary despite boon of EU labour deal

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Marty calls for collective responsibility on Guantánamo

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Leuthard says bank wage gap is “too large”

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Human rights in Switzerland fail to impress

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Iraq faces test-case provincial election

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Swiss tackle protectionism at Davos meeting

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Activist warns of Sri Lanka “massacres”

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Money matters top Merz’s bilateral talks

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