|
Server : Apache/2.4.62 System : FreeBSD fbsdweb2.web.rcn.net 14.1-RELEASE FreeBSD 14.1-RELEASE releng/14.1-n267679-10e31f0946d8 GENERIC amd64 User : www ( 80) PHP Version : 8.3.8 Disable Function : NONE Directory : /domains/roger.dnai/96Pictures/94Book/ |
Upload File : |
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//SoftQuad//DTD HoTMetaL PRO 4.0::19971010::extensions to HTML 4.0//EN"
"hmpro4.dtd">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META NAME="GENERATOR"
CONTENT="Mozilla/4.03 (Macintosh; I; 68K) [Netscape]">
<TITLE>Swiss Ambassador Robert Mayor...Switzerland After the Vote On the
Blue Helmets</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" BGPROPERTIES="FIXED">
<CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+4">Switzerland after the Vote</FONT></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+4">On the Blue Helmets</FONT></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+3">Ambassador Robert Mayor</FONT></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000000"><I><FONT SIZE="+2">Swiss Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs</FONT></I><FONT SIZE="+3"></FONT></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER></CENTER>
<CENTER><B><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+1">STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF
THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<P><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+0">After the Swiss people voted in
December 1992 against the European Economic Area, the government published
in November 1993 a report on Switzerland's external policy for the 1990s.
This report underlines our country's lack of participation in
international affairs, particularly in the security area, despite our
membership in certain organizations including most U.N. agencies. It also
calls attention to the dangers of isolation. The government emphasizes
that our membership in the EU remains a strategic goal as the best way to
ensure both our security and independence; for the same reason, membership
in the U.N. continues to be a main objective despite a negative vote on it
in 1986.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+0">The Swiss Government recommends
a gradual normalization of our relations with NATO and the WEU that would
leave no ambiguity as to our desire to remain neutral. Such neutrality
implies that we cannot take part in conflicts or join a military alliance;
it calls for a certain reserve in our political statements. The government
reiterates its availability for traditional humanitarian tasks and for
actions in favor of peace and stability. Thus, wherever it is possible, we
will increase our engagement, especially in the CSCE, and support U.N.
peace operations. Our own Battalion of armed Blue Helmets would have been
an important instrument for action, but it is not the only way: we have
shown our willingness to cooperate with our Berets Bleus (military
observers, medical units, electoral observers).</FONT></FONT> </P>
<CENTER></CENTER>
<CENTER><B><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+1">INTERNAL CONSTRAINTS</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<P><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+0">The Swiss government's views are
not always shared by a majority of the population, which does not
understand the need for change. Switzerland is indeed the only country in
the world where direct democracy rules all major decisions (i.e., security
matters, foreign policy, finances, and economics). New ideas or projects
require a long process of persuasion; and a negative vote often gets
turned around after a few years, as was the case for women's political
rights. This explains why, in Switzerland, the government can remain in
office after a negative vote on a major issue it supports.</FONT></FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+0">Although the major political
parties and the press were favorable to the Blue Helmets, the 12 June 1994
vote turned out to be negative (57,3%). This failure was partly due to
emotional arguments based on the fear of relinquishing our neutrality and
to a confusion between peace enforcement and peacekeeping. Other ways of
helping, such as our traditional humanitarian assistance (ICRC), were also
emphasized, while some opponents criticized U.N. troop actions in Somalia,
Bosnia and Rwanda. Besides direct democracy, neutrality is another
important internal constraint. Deeply rooted in our history, neutrality is
associated with an inner feeling of national identity. Although neutrality
is not an end in itself, it is an instrument for maintaining our integrity
and independence.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<CENTER></CENTER>
<CENTER><B><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+1">THE FUTURE</FONT></FONT></B></CENTER>
<P><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+0">Following the vote on the Blue
Helmets, the government expressed its disappointment and reaffirmed its
strong intention to become more involved in international cooperation.
Switzerland will continue to play an active role in both the CSCE and the
U.N. by supporting actions for peace and, for new initiatives such as the
Pact for Stability, through other means. Engaging a direct dialogue
between Switzerland and NATO while reaffirming our solidarity with efforts
by the "new NATO" to shape the European security architecture,
such as the Partnership for Peace, remain matters of great importance,
too. Although the Swiss Government has not taken an official position on
the issue yet, our foreign and defense ministers have expressed interest
in a Swiss participation in the Partnership for Peace, which should be
compatible with our neutrality.</FONT></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+0"><A HREF="Mayor.htm" TARGET="_document">Go
to Top of Page</A></FONT></FONT> <BR><FONT COLOR="#000000"><FONT SIZE="+0"><A HREF="/94Book/94Workshop.htm">Return
to Os '94 Page</A></FONT></FONT> <BR><A HREF="../index.html">Return to Home Page</A> </P>
</BODY>
</HTML>