[size=4]Switzerland votes on UN membership[/size=4]

Swiss citizens vote on Sunday on whether or not to join the UN in a decision that may reflect an erosion of years of peculiarly Helvetic isolationism. Although Switzerland is highly engaged in UN activities and hosts its European headquarters, its determined neutrality have kept it from becoming a full member. But that may be changing.

A GfS poll published last week found 54 per cent of eligible voters surveyed favored joining, up from 50 per cent a month earlier, but the complexity of the binding referendum means the vote is still too close to call. The opponents' share held steady at 37 percent, while the number of undecided voters slipped to nine percent from 13.

Opponents say joining the UN would undermine Swiss sovereignty and make the Alpine country of 7.3 million a pawn of the world's great powers. "A free country like Switzerland cannot be brought under the sway of the great powers and give up its successful neutrality. The people would lose power and the functionaries and diplomats would win," said Hans Fehr, executive director of the anti-UN Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland (AUNS).

The billionaire far right politician Christoph Blocher has led the "no" charge by stoking fears that Swiss soldiers may be dragged into combat under a UN flag. Ironically, Switzerland hosts the UN' European headquarters in Geneva and is one of the largest contributors to the UN budget. It belongs to most of the main UN agencies such as the World Health Organization.

But opponents say it would be a mistake to join the "political UN", dominated by the five permanent members of the Security Council who alone have veto powers. Voters shot down membership of the UN by a three-to-one margin in 1986, but opposition has softened with the end of the Cold War bloc mentality that critics say once marked the UN, and amid a gradual Swiss opening to the rest of the world.

The government says Swiss standoffishness is increasingly outdated in an era in which individual countries have little power to address sweeping global issues like fighting poverty, defending human rights and protecting the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 Swiss government, backed by the business community and mainstream media, remains confident the "yes" camp will carry the day. Financial markets have taken the debate in their stride. Economists say the vote is unlikely to have a sharp impact on stocks, interest rates or the Swiss franc, although a "no" vote could underscore Swiss independence and thus the franc's role as a safe-haven investment in times of crisis.

END OF ARTICLE [url]http://www.isn.ethz.ch/infoservice/index.cfm?service=cwn&menu=1[/url]

If the Swiss vote to join the UN, the only remaining 'nation' on the planet that will not be a member is [b]Vatican City[/b].

Eric The(Rats!JustWhenItWasCoolToBeSwiss!)Hun[>]:)]

Switzerland with no UN:  [b]500 years of peace.[/b]

When they join on sunday, which they will (no place is immune to socialism anymore, I guess), it'll be interesting to see how long the Swiss militia system will last (not long, IMO).

I wish like heck the UN would get the hell out of the US. France would be a WONDERFUL place for the UN, oui?

I'm so GD sick & tired of the UN's socialist ideas & gun control policies.

If ther're smart they'll vote no. I imagine the propaganda has been heavy though. Just like here......

Sounds like global NWO politics has won again.