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Letters to the editor

28.01.2016

A new relationship with the wolf

We need to follow the Italian example of a new relationship between man and animals, especially the wolf. We need a new kind of pastoralism, with protective measures, shelters, and new ways of organising herds in order to do away with fears inherited from our ancestors and with the destruction of predators that are needed to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity. This is a great challenge, and it will take years to do what has to be done. Switzerland can do likewise, but what it really must not do is follow the French in their destructive and insane killing of everything that lives.

Elena Lacroix Jaeggy, France

No restrictions on wild animals!

Switzerland is giving back to the animals what it has taken away over the last few centuries. It is understandable that farmers are unhappy about the losses caused by predators. Consequently, it is also right for the community to compensate for these losses. However, it is not coherent to immediately call for limits on predator populations when cars kill many times more wild animals, without calls for car travel to also be curbed. However, the discussion with wildlife biologist Reinhard Schnidrig showed that the Federal Office for the Environment has a very sensible leader on board. I would be interested to hear from him how many farm animals are killed by predators and how many wild animals are killed on the roads each year.

Klaus Natterer, Germany

Protection takes top priority

I read the comments about the wild animals with great interest as we too, here in Australia, have red hot debates about our assemblage of Australian carnivores. These of course have changed through time as a result of evolution, extinction and species introductions. Ecosystems are still in a state of flux as they adjust to the relatively recent arrival of foxes and cats, suppression of dingoes and many anthropogenic influences. Many of Australia’s carnivores have suffered dramatic range declines, and many are threatened with extinction. Their intrinsic value alone makes them a priority for conservation. However, the persistence of other species, and of ecological processes, may also depend on predator conservation. The impacts of humans and introduced species are still playing out on the Australian landscape, and many carnivores are threatened with extinction. The shape of things to come will depend largely on the wildlife management practices of today. To maintain or restore the functioning ecosystems, wildlife managers must consider the ecological importance of predators.

Jleeb303, AustraliA

Abolition of dual citizenship?

I read with great alarm in the last issue of Swiss Review that the idea of abolishing dual citizenship for Swiss people living abroad is being pursued in SVP circles. I worked for a heavily export-dependent major Swiss company in several host countries for a number of decades, and I became a citizen of one of these countries. My home country derived genuine economic benefits from my indirect representation of Swiss interests abroad. Because of my secondary residence in Switzerland, I also pay taxes, including direct federal tax. I find myself asking what Messrs Reimann, Brunner et al. find so repellent that they want to do away with dual citizenship for Swiss people living in other countries. What have these gentlemen tangibly done to promote Swiss exports or to generate inbound tourism, which is increasingly important for Switzerland? And I also find myself asking what I and my Swiss colleagues resident abroad have done to these parochial politicians to make them want to deny us our dual citizenship. In my view that would be a clumsy and unnecessary step towards further shutting off Switzerland from the rest of the world. 

Marcel F. Kohler, USA

Under general suspicion

I read with amazement the article in the November issue in which some parliamentarians were seriously calling for the abolition of dual citizenship. At the same time, this suggestion is linked to a general suspicion about where dual citizens’ loyalties lie in relation to Switzerland as an employer. I am shocked by this line of thought and wonder whether, by logical extension, the Swiss Guard in the Vatican should also be abolished? What about the loyalties of these Swiss men when they have an Argentinian as their boss? I urge all parliamentarians calling for the abolition of dual citizenship to take a long hard look at the wider world before attempting such a move in Switzerland. I regard this proposal as verging on obscene, and once again it reveals the double standards practised by some senior Swiss figures.

Thomas Ort, Germany

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Comments :

  • user
    Maria Cristina Vanini 22.02.2016 At 00:01
    Estoy muy sorprendida con el pensamiento de algunos parlamentarios que piensan eliminar la doble nacionalidad. Como es posible que estas personas hayan pensado eso? Que autoridad moral los alienta a cambiar nuestra vida, la que nuestros padres y abuelos nos trasmitieron, el amor a nuestros ancestros, a nuestra cultura.Senores Parlamentarios,respeten nuestros derechos, como lo hicieron, seguramente sus ancestros. Tengan en cuenta la gran tristeza que nos han ocacionado. Vivo en Argentina y aqui somos muchos. Espero prontamente cambien de parecer,gracias
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  • user
    EVH Williams-Niedermann 10.02.2016 At 18:42
    Regarding the printed version of the Swiss Review:

    Dear Sir/Madam,
    Although I'm perfectly able to read your magazine on-line, I must tell you how relieved I was to hear that I can still get the printed version six times a year. I really value this, as I very much prefer reading a paper copy of anything interesting, and so do the several British friends of mine who get to read and appreciate your excellent publication after my husband & I have finished with it.
    Best wishes from Wales,
    Mrs Evi Williams-Niedermann
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  • user
    Wave Dancer 08.02.2016 At 08:37
    Doppelbürgerschaft: Sollte nach meiner Meinung für Schweizer weiterhin möglich bleiben. ABER für Ausländer in der Schweiz müsste anstelle des CH-Passes eine Art "green Card" eingeführt werden, die an knallharte Bedingungen geküpft ist (s. USA). Die Bürgerschaft dürfte nur für wirklich Assimilierte vergeben werden! Jeglicher Automatismus ist zu eliminieren!
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  • user
    Herbert Stäheli 08.02.2016 At 05:07
    Die Politik treibt sehr oft seltsame Blüten. Beispielsweise, wie oben beschrieben, die Idee zur Abschaffung des Doppelbürgerrechts. Ein anderes, meines erachtens ein mindestens ebenso grosses Problem ist, dass Auslandschweizer keine für AHV Rentner bezahlbare Krankenkasse in der Schweiz (auf der Basis einer Grundversicherung) abschliessen können. Einfache AHV Rentner hätten mit Wohnsitz in der Schweiz Anrecht auf Ergänzungsleistung, was dem Staat Geld kosten würde. Was also spricht gegen eine angemessene und auch erschwingliche Grundversicherung?
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    • user
      Streit Anita 10.02.2016 At 15:12
      ja Herr Stäheli,ich bin absolut Ihrer Meinung betreff Krankenkasse;es ist eine Masslose Abzockerei,was hiermit betrieben wird!!!
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