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To: Eclectus who wrote (58754)	9/23/2000 9:56:59 AM
From: Rarebird	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 116759

Eclectus, we do have a person who posts on this thread who belittles shareholders. Message 14436535 "shareholders have the option of selling - they always do - why do you worry about them?" Message 14435772 PS Before you post, try reading the thread first and not just one or two posts.

To: Eclectus who wrote (58754)	9/24/2000 2:13:25 AM
From: long-gone	Respond to of 116759

Will this change the Swiss gold sale attitude? Switzerland ponders foreign population Nando Times By GEIR MOULSON, Associated Press GENEVA (September 23, 2000 5:22 p.m. EDT nandotimes.com) - Switzerland's image faces a tough test Sunday in a national vote on whether to limit the country's foreign population, a move the government and industry say would have disastrous effects. The so-called "initiative for the regulation of immigration" would insert in the constitution a clause that foreign residents can make up a maximum 18 percent of the population. Its backers, a group of lawmakers who in mid-recession five years ago collected 100,000 signatures to force a referendum, argue the measure is needed to stem a flood of cheap foreign labor and a steady increase in the foreign population. But the government and economic heavyweights argue it would be catastrophic for the country's image and industry, locking out experts in crucial areas such as health and information technology and damaging tourism. Polls have suggested the initiative is headed for defeat, and its backers even have said they expect to lose by a 60-40 margin. Last year, foreigners accounted for 19.2 percent of the 7.2 million population. It is unclear how the proportion would be cut to 18 percent, where it stood when the initiative was launched. The Swiss vote comes with immigration a sensitive issue across Europe as nations grapple with an aging population and increasing anti-foreigner sentiment. "Hostility to foreigners must not be allowed to become acceptable in this country," said Marcel Ospel, the chief executive of Switzerland's largest bank, UBS AG. Despite polls predicting the initiative's defeat, the government, careful not to underestimate Switzerland's often unpredictable 4.6 million voters, has argued forcefully against the cap. "It's always wrong to write in the constitution a quota," said President Adolf Ogi. But "I'm sure it will be rejected by the Swiss people because we live from foreigners." Ministers note that voters, mindful of the economic fallout and neutral Switzerland's humanitarian tradition, have thrown out five other proposals to limit immigration over the past 30 years. Last year, the right-wing Swiss People's Party, one of four members of the coalition government, made large election gains after campaigning with the slogan "Stop Asylum Abuse" - reflecting the success of the anti-immigrant Freedom Party in neighboring Austria. The party's leaders oppose the limit on foreigners, but grass-roots supporters have endorsed it. Sunday's referendum voting also features proposals aimed at fostering renewable energy. Switzerland has been spared the protests over high fuel prices that choked its neighbors, but voters may draw the line at adding a tax of several cents on nonrenewable fuels like oil and gas. Separate proposals would see the proceeds allocated to developing solar energy, subsidizing hydroelectric power and reducing obligatory contributions to the state pension system. nandotimes.com