← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · albion
Thread ID: 18558 | Posts: 2 | Started: 2005-06-07
2005-06-07 06:21 | User Profile
Swiss Vote to Scrap Border Passport Checks
[url="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050606/ap_on_re_eu/switzerland_referendum_18"]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050606/ap_on_re_eu/switzerland_referendum_18[/url]
GENEVA - The beleaguered European Union has gotten a boost, courtesy of a country that usually keeps its distance from the 25-nation bloc.
Swiss voters agreed to join Europe's passport-free zone ââ¬â one of two issues on the ballot Sunday. They also granted same-sex couples more rights, marking the first time the issue has been put to a national vote in Europe.
The first result goes against the prevailing mood in the EU, which is reeling from the French and Dutch rejection of a proposed constitution for the bloc. Scrapping passport checks on the border also runs counter to Switzerland's strong independence streak.
For 400 years, Switzerland's Alpine peaks and strict neutrality have kept the rest of Europe at bay. The Swiss have prided themselves on not being a member of the bloc, and they do not use the European currency, the euro. Swiss President Samuel Schmid hailed the referendum as backing for the coalition government's plans to develop closer links with the rest of Europe.
2005-06-07 15:09 | User Profile
not good. i have generally had good opinions of the Swiss and im sure this madness is not sitting well with some of the population there.