Switzerland finally joins the U.N.

[Grisu]

Finally we managed to join the rest of the world, now if I only could get the majority of the swiss to join europe as well...but it's a step in the right direction.

http://europe.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/09/10/switzerland.un.reut/index.html

 

[AVN]

Congratulations.

I have a number of questions.

1 As mentioned in the article Switzerland likes his neutrality. Is it true that this principle is laid down in the constitution ?

2 Is Switzerland prepared to become a member of the security council ?
IMO the members of the security council often have to choose between to nations. In such a situation it can become difficult to stay neutral. Has this been discussed in the campaign before the referendum ?

3 Is the neutrality principle the main reason for not becoming a
member of the EU ?

 

[Grisu]

Originally posted by AVN
Congratulations.

I have a number of questions.

1 As mentioned in the article Switzerland likes his neutrality. Is it true that this principle is laid down in the constitution ?


2 Is Switzerland prepared to become a member of the security council ?
IMO the members of the security council often have to choose between to nations. In such a situation it can become difficult to stay neutral. Has this been discussed in the campaign before the referendum ?

3 Is the neutrality principle the main reason for not becoming a
member of the EU ?

1. it is

Article 185 External and Inner Security

The Federal Government shall take measures to secure the external security, the independence, and the neutrality of
Switzerland.

I believe there's a clearer statement somewhere else but I couldn't find it.

2. I don't think switzerland will be a member of the Security Council in the near-future, but I personally don't see this as problem. There were several discussions about how far neutrality actually goes and the opinions ranged from strictly "military neutrality" (not taking armed part in a war unless attacked) up to the point of not expression your opionion on any topic (as a pro-someone opinion would not be strictly speaking neutral). the latter view is shared mainly by the right-wingers (christoph blocher and the likes)

3. Again this is the reasoning from most Anti-Euro-guys (again right-wingers mainly), and unfortunately up till now the majority of the swiss voters went with this opinion. I personally don't see the neutrality threatend by the EU since it is a political/economical partnership not a military alliance like NATO.

These are of course all my personaly opinions not necessarily those of the swiss people (and therefore the swiss government)

 

[Damien]

I've seen it on www.tsr.ch ...it was on the channel but as I live in France I don't get it.

The 190th nation to enter but the first one after popular vote

Neutrality is in the consititution yes.

Many neutral nations entered before and I guess abstentions will be the rule when nations have to choose between two countries.

No,neutrality isn't the main reason.Swiss see their nation as a "Sunderfall"(swiss-german for special case) and they are right.
Switzerland has always followed its own path.
When Europe was led by dynasties or republics,many cantons in Switzerland already practised direct democracy.
Moreover,the EU ain't democratic.
To me,Switzerland shouldn't enter the EU.
I'm for the idea of an European Union but it has to be as democratic as Switzerland and united in a swiss-like confederation,not an hybrid situation where Brussel and national capitals send problems back to each other.
I hate when the french govt say that it can't decide anything without the 14 others whereas there's the "opt out" option(but of course it's not said).

THE EU should be based on Switzerland,as long as it's not the case I think Swiss shouldn't join.

Swiss wanna be masters of their fate and don't wanna follow decrees(directives) ordered by a council in Brussel.

 

[sysyphus]

Welcome aboard Suisse!

Now you too can mutter on and on about how useless the UN is and how your country's voice counts for nothing even though you make large and valuable contributions to it... just like the rest of us do!

 

[Grisu]

Originally posted by sysyphus
Welcome aboard Suisse!

Now you too can mutter on and on about how useless the UN is and how your country's voice counts for nothing even though you make large and valuable contributions to it... just like the rest of us do!

That's why I voted to join the UN

No seriously, I truly believe that the U.N. despite all its shortcomings is doing a fairly good job, and that the world would be a worse place today if it didn't exist.

Furthermore, it's easier to change what's wrong from the inside than from the outside.

 

[Pillager]

Originally posted by sysyphus
Welcome aboard Suisse!

Now you too can mutter on and on about how useless the UN is and how your country's voice counts for nothing even though you make large and valuable contributions to it... just like the rest of us do!

And if you join the EU you can mutter on about how incredibly undemocratic it is, and how your country's voice counts for nothing even though you make large and valuable contributions to it, as it's only Paris and Berlin that count.

 

[Greadius]

I have just lost some of my tremendous respect for Switzerland.

 

[Grisu]

Originally posted by Greadius
I have just lost some of my tremendous respect for Switzerland.

why is that? because we joined an organization where everyone else already is a member? I don't see how not taking part in what's happening in the world should earn us respect. We did that too many times in the past.

I hope Switzerland will now take a more active role in the world, and the speech of president villiger somehow gave me that impression.

 

[CornMaster]

Originally posted by KaeptnOvi
I hope Switzerland will now take a more active role in the world, and the speech of president villiger somehow gave me that impression.

I hope Switzerland and Canada can work together and we can get over here...what you have over there.

 

[Greadius]

Originally posted by KaeptnOvi
why is that? because we joined an organization where everyone else already is a member? I don't see how not taking part in what's happening in the world should earn us respect. We did that too many times in the past.

I had respect for the deep Swiss committment to neutrality. 'Involvement' in the rest of the world does not automatically benefit anyone.

And of course I don't like the U.N.