Each year a large number of international meetings are housed in Switzerland’s renowned city of Geneva where the United Nations’ European headquarters is located and where plenty of UN resolutions have been ratified. How, then, can the host country have been deprived of UN membership? And what does perpetual neutrality mean to the Swiss? Under the circumstances of a much changed world situation, why did the Swiss choose to join the UN? The following is an interview by People’s Daily staff reporter Lu Min with Wang Fang, People’s Daily world correspondent, and Yao Li, People’s Daily resident correspondent in Belgium.

Q: People are quite familiar with picturesque Switzerland. However, not many people understand why Switzerland has not previously had UN membership. How to explain the debate within Switzerland about joining the UN?

A: Switzerland is a federal state with a government system characterized by keeping a balance of political powers. Another characteristic of the Swiss regime is its direct democracy system under which any resolutions made by the government involving amending the constitution, joining important international organizations and concluding international treaties with long-term period of more than 15 years cannot take effect until winning approval by at least half of the popular votes as well as half of the country’s cantons [the states of the Swiss confederation].

After prolonged deliberations, Switzerland made the hard choice to join the UN. The Swiss have been debating about and considering a move toward UN membership ever since the beginning of the 1980s. For this issue, Swiss political circles displayed extraordinary enthusiasm. As early as in 1981, the Swiss government put forward a relevant proposal presented to the Federal Assembly for discussion in the following year. In 1984 after a hot debate the proposal was approved by the National Council and Council of States successively. However, the statesmen’s enthusiasm was not shared by the public.

In March 1986, the first referendum on Switzerland’s joining the UN was conducted, with the result that three-fourths of voters and all the cantons were opposed. With deep suspicion and apprehensions, opponents feared that UN membership would force Switzerland to take a clear-cut stand on world affairs, consequently damaging the nation’s tradition of neutrality, sweeping it into international disputes, and disturbing the peaceful and affluent life to which the Swiss have been accustomed.

Q: What is the historical base of Switzerland’s “perpetual neutrality?”

A: Historically, Switzerland for a long time was under the Holy Roman Empire. In 1684 the Swiss declared independence and began to pursue its policy of neutrality. More than a century later Switzerland was taken over by Napoleon Bonaparte until 1815 when Napoleon was defeated and Switzerland was formally guaranteed perpetual neutrality at the Vienna Convention. Naturally, the terror of war is deeply rooted in the minds of the Swiss. With its neutrality being honored, Switzerland has never since been drawn into war.

Q: Then, what mileage have the Swiss got out of “perpetual neutrality?”

A: Switzerland is a small landlocked country in Europe, with a total area of less than 42,000 sq km (around 16,216 sq mi) and a population of a little more than 7.2 million. However, due to its neutrality, Switzerland has become the host of countless international conferences and the seat of many important international organizations. Although without UN membership, Switzerland is the home of many UN specialized agencies including the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization and the UN Conference on Trade and Development. During the past 100 years or so, Swiss neutrality that has protected this country not only saved Switzerland from being involved in the two World Wars, but also ensured its standing aloof from all kinds of international powers conflicts during the Cold War. Switzerland has been able to host some significant international negotiations, to mediate international disputes, and to play a unique role as a bridge in East-West economic contacts. Feeling fortunate and proud, the Swiss have treasured their neutrality.

Q: If so, 16 years later, when the Swiss voted again, a sharp reversal occurred in public opinion. What prompted the Swiss to change their attitudes toward UN membership?

A: First of all, the current world situation has changed significantly in two respects. In regard to the influences of economic globalization -- inevitably, economic globalization brings about globalization of international affairs. Furthermore, with the course of globalization speeded up, a country’s safety and development becomes more and more closely related with the outside world, and interdependence between countries is strengthened significantly. Thus, staying outside of the international community cannot assure a country’s safety any more. In regard to the United Nations, with the end of the Cold War, the UN is playing a more and more important role. In the new situation, Switzerland’s long tradition of neutrality appears gradually to have ossified, damaging its role as a mediator in the international arena. As an observer at the UN, Switzerland has no right to vote or to make decisions. If its voice continues to go unheard in many significant international matters, with gradual “marginalization” Switzerland would be destined for an isolated position in the world. Realizing this possibility, many Swiss changed their original attitude and to vote for UN membership. Especially after the terror attacks in the US on September 11, 2001, prompted by great shocks and apprehensions, the Swiss made up their minds to join the international family and to play a full role in the world.

Secondly, the favorable referendum was also the result of the Swiss government’s persevering efforts. Since coming into power, the present government has focused its foreign policy on pushing forward Switzerland’s joining the UN and campaigned hard in the public. Besides, the terror attacks on September 11 won over more supporters for the government. Meanwhile, Swiss financial circles also rendered their help, investing millions of Swiss Francs in support before the referendum. Swiss banks’ policy to maintain confidentiality for bank customers has caused complaints from many member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and of the European Union. Naturally, if the financial circles voted against UN membership once again, an even bigger disgrace would undoubtedly be brought on the image of Switzerland.

Q: On the basis of its neutrality, how did Switzerland deal with world affairs?

A: In fact, as early as in 1953 Switzerland began to participate in some military operations launched by the UN, mainly in supplying provisions as well as in shipping military personnel. Since 1989 Switzerland has been stepping up its contributions to peacekeeping operations, taking the responsibility to send medical staff, military observers and electoral supervisors. After the Cold War, from the interest of safety of the state as well as political and economic interests, Switzerland set about revising its policy of neutrality based on the principle of “keeping flexible, pragmatic and progressive.” From its stance of neutrality, by positively and prudently seeking international cooperation for peace, the Swiss intend to build up a good and open-minded reputation in the world. Recently, Switzerland not only took part in formulating international regulations on peace, security and human rights, but also strictly carried out resolutions by the Security Council, partaking of the imposition of economic sanctions worldwide. The framework pact on partnership signed with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1996 and the later seven-itemed bilateral agreement concluded with the European Union paved the way for Switzerland’s getting involved in European integration.

Q: What are the positive influences of UN membership on Switzerland?

A: As Swiss President Kaspar Villiger pointed out, undoubtedly, joining the UN will positively promote Switzerland’s economic development. The move is conducive to improve the status of the state in world economic cooperation, especially considering that many global issues such as those involving organized crime, illegal immigration and nuclear proliferation can only be tackled through international collaboration. According to President Villiger, the benefits of UN membership are obvious. Currently, the annual expenditure of the United Nations is US$4 billion or so, of which Switzerland can get US$240 million, while Switzerland’s assessed contribution to the UN is only US$70 million a year. President Villiger also promised that Switzerland would remain neutral even after joining the UN. Samuel Schmid, head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection & Sports, assured voters that the UN would not force Switzerland to partake in any military action. In this respect, the Swiss can draw on the experiences of Finland and Sweden.

In terms of becoming a member of the international community, the Swiss have taken a decisive step, and the next destination is Switzerland’s entry into the European Union. Although at present the voice of the domestic opposition cannot be neglected, we believe that world situation will continue to give impetus to more changes in Switzerland.

(人民网[People’s Daily] March 14, 2002, translated by Shao Da for china.org.cn, March 30, 2002)