Swiss referendum rejects stricter neutrality principle

Switzerland rejected a proposal aimed at adopting stricter neutrality principles in today's referendum. Had the proposal been approved, it would have prohibited Switzerland from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO. Results released by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office show that all of Switzerland's cantons and about 70% of voters opposed writing a strictly defined neutrality clause into the Swiss constitution. The proposal had originally sought to stipulate in the constitution that, unless attacked, Switzerland must not join or cooperate with any military or defense alliance, and must not participate in any sanctions unless approved by the United Nations. Switzerland has pursued a policy of neutrality since 1815 and did not support either side in the two world wars. In recent years, as the international situation has continued to change, Switzerland's policy of "permanent neutrality" has shown signs of loosening.