Easter chocolate

In Switzerland probably more than anywhere else, Easter is associated with chocolate. The shops are so creative. Under normal circumstances, it is already difficult to resist, but before Easter it becomes "mission impossible".


So here a few statistics. One Swiss in six eats chocolate every single day and a further 45% eats it more than once a few. Are we a country of chocoholic? In 2007, every Swiss has eaten 12,3 kilos of chocolate! The local production was more than 181000 tons and generated revenues of 1,66 billion swiss francs. And of course, swiss chocolate is of such fine quality, that you can really indulge!

Human rights

Geneva always hosts many conferences and events. This week-end, there was a broad spectrum of activities: the motor show, the first ice-hockey semi-final and the human rights festival. Tough choice. Week-ends in Geneva should last more than 48 hours!

So you guessed where I went: to the human rights festival. Interesting to be welcomed at the conference center by these huge pictures of Isrealians and Palestinians mocking the wall that separates them.
The conference I attended was entitled: democracy - does it need a military coup to exist? The discussion centered on the case of Mauritania, with the ex-military ruler as guest speaker (the one in blue). Mr. President Vall gave a very detailed and argued account of the reasons, the motives and the objectives of "his" coup. Actually, in Mauritania, it is just called "the change".

He started by arguing that the first basic human rights is to be free. In one-party states, the party decides what is right and wrong, it decides for the citizens. The problem is therefore a problem of the system. The objectives of the coup were to dialog with the citizens (and the international community) and to generate a consensus. The main pillars were good governance, justice and democracy. Thus, the system would change from a regime of proposition (the one-party state makes prososals, rubber-stamped by the electorate) to a regime of choices. The result was that after 19 months in power, the transitory military regime handed over the executive powers to a democratically elected president. This new government has legitimacy, there are various political parties represented in Parliament, there is press freedom.

In conclusion, Mauritania must succeed. Indeed, in the region and for Arab countries, it offers an alternative, an exit solution to the various dictatorial regimes.

Berne is getting ready

It happened that I had to stay longer than usual in Berne, the other week-end. An immediate question was: what could I do there on a Saturday morning, while waiting to get to my next appointement? Allow me to leave this question unanswered...

In the meantime, though, I thought about taking a few pictures of all the road/building works in town. Berne is getting ready to host the European Nation's Football Cup 2008. Most certainly one of the biggest event this town has ever hosted.

The stadium is ready, but the town, in particular the station's square needs a lot of upgrading.

As is the case in Switzerland, Bernese citizens had to vote on most construction credits. Fortunately, the builders are doing a good job and it is very likely that everything will be completed on time. Another monument being renovated is the federal Parliament. In a few weeks time, I will show you how it all looks like.