There isn’t a nobler ambition
Regarding the recent events in Burma,Vietnam and the democracy movement in Asia.
As with any other democrat, I too wish for the establishment of regimes that guarantee a strong state of right, fundamental freedoms and the respect of human rights, for all countries in the world.
Today, only a minority of nations are true democracies. History, culture, religion and other social influences are just some of the contributing factors against the establishment of democracy in many countries. We must persevere from the inside as well as from the outside of these countries, and in this context Switzerland has a major role to play. Indeed it has actively participated as an observer during the trial of the dissident catholic priest Nguyen Van Ly in Vietnam last April.
As one of the oldest democracy in the world Switzerland must, through an active foreign policy and by offering its services, ensure that it supports all movements with the mission of establishing a democracy.
There isn’t a nobler ambition.
Jean-Pierre Jobin
Jean–Pierre Jobin, former director of the Geneva International Airport and member of the Christian-Democrat Party, is candidate to the National Council and the States Council for the elections of October 21, 2007, in Switzerland.