SWITZERLAND: PEOPLE VOTE IN REFERENDUM TO DECIDE WHETHER TO JOIN THE UNITED NATIONS
Record ID:
328745
SWITZERLAND: PEOPLE VOTE IN REFERENDUM TO DECIDE WHETHER TO JOIN THE UNITED NATIONS
- Title: SWITZERLAND: PEOPLE VOTE IN REFERENDUM TO DECIDE WHETHER TO JOIN THE UNITED NATIONS
- Date: 4th March 2002
- Summary: (U3) GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 3, 2002) (REUTERS) 1. SLV EXTERIOR OF UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS; SLV FLAGS (2 SHOTS) 0.09 2. SLV EXTERIOR OF VOTING BUREAU IN CAROUGE DISTRICT OF GENEVA; MV POSTERS FOR AND AGAINST THE REFERENDUM; MV PEOPLE VOTING; SCU BALLOT BOX; SCU VOTES GOING INTO BALLOT BOXES; MV PEOPLE VOTING (11 SHOTS) 1.05 3. (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNIDENTIFIED MAN OUTSIDE POLLING STATION SAYING "It's a landmark, it's an absolute landmark. When you look at it we're already involved in all international organisations, so why not (this)" 1.17 4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNIDENTIFIED MAN OUTSIDE POLLING STATION SAYING "I'm for it. (REPORTER SAYS: Why) "It can only be for the best. I don't think it's normal that we are so isolated, other neutral countries like Sweden and Finland are members and that doesn't seem to cause problems. Neutrality isn't the problem." 1.44 5. SCU/MV PEOPLE VOTING (3 SHOTS) 2.00 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 19th March 2002 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- Country: Switzerland
- Reuters ID: LVA2OY7NLTZ2M2VOZR12CR31FLHV
- Story Text: The Swiss have been at the polls voting in a referendum
to decide whether their strictly neutral alpine nation should
join the United Nations.
Switzerland and the Vatican are the only two states in
the world that are not members of the United Nations but the
Swiss referendum on Sunday (March 3) could change that.
In a referendum in 1986, 76% of Swiss voters rejected the
government proposals to join the United Nations.
But the coalition government in Bern has made joining the
U.N. a top foreign policy goal for the landlocked nation of
7.2 million people. It argues that Swiss isolation is outdated
in an era in which individual countries have little power to
address sweeping global issues like fighting poverty,
defending human rights and protecting the environment.
But the anti-U.N. lobby, the same right-wing
traditionalists as in 1986, believe they can still win the
battle.
Led by billionaire businessman Christoph Blocher, a main
figure in the populist Swiss peoples Party (SVP), they argue
that joining the United Nations would undermine Switzerland's
historic neutrality, draw Swiss soldiers into international
conflicts and saddle the country with huge costs. According to
the government, the Alpine country would have to pay some
US$42 million to become the 190th member of the organisation.
Joining the U.N. would make Switzerland a pawn of the big
powers in the U.N. Security Council, whose veto rights are an
abomination, opponents say.
Ironically, Switzerland belongs to most of the U.N.
agencies, is one of the largest contributors to the world body
(donating some US$300 million per year) and even hosts the
U.N. European headquarters in Geneva.
Voting got underway on Sunday, with many enthusiastic for
joining - "It's a landmark, it's an absolute landmark. When
you look at it we're already involved in all international
organisations, so why not (this)?" said one man coming out of
the polling station.
"It can only be for the best. I don't think it's normal
that we are so isolated, other neutral countries like Sweden
and Finland are members and that doesn't seem to cause
problems. Neutrality isn't the problem," said another.
Based on ballots sent in by post, the way most Swiss
vote and the reason there are no exit polls in Switzerland,
turnout will be above 50 percent, relatively high for a
referendum.
Opinion polls suggest that the race will be close.
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