merci francois

so francois wrote me back from the confederation de switz this morning

i am not on a refugee/asylum card. phew!

i am freely able to go wherever the hell i want god dammit, i'm an american!

from my pal francois:

There seems to be a confusion regarding "visas". You are talking about "F" stay-permits (stay permits are the equivalent of a US Green card). These stay-permits are indeed intended for refugees and asylum seeker and are issued buy the Interior Ministry (= homeland security in the US). This is not what you have.

You were issued with an "F" Legitimation card of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is different. This card allows you to stay and work in Switzerland as long as you are employed by international civil servants. It also allows you to travel freely in "Schengen" states without a visa (if you would need one - depending on your nationality). Most of the western European States are part of the Schengen agreement - including all the States bordering Switzerland - but Great-Britain, for example isn't. Anyway, I doubt that you need a visa to enter GB as a US citizen, but I'm not sure (if you plan on going there, check with their Consulate).