RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT STANDING COMMISSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 007627

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PRM; GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2013
TAGS: AORC PREF PREL JO ICRC
SUBJECT: RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT STANDING COMMISSION
CANDIDATE DR. MOHAMED AL-HADID

REF: STATE 322318

Classified By: DCM David Hale, per 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Embassy Amman supports the candidacy of Jordan Red
Crescent Society (JRCS) President Dr. Mohamed Al-Hadid for
re-election to the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement. Al-Hadid supports strong relations
with the United States Government and U.S. humanitarian
organizations. Under his leadership, the Jordan Red Crescent
Society has maintained strong ties to the American Red Cross
and currently is exploring expansion of existing JRCS/AmCross
technical assistance arrangements. In spite of regional
tensions, Al-Hadid also has supported quiet engagement with
the Israeli Magen David Adom Society and could play a helpful
role on the emblem debate through a second term on the
Standing Commission. We understand from NGO contacts that
Al-Hadid has expressed interest in running for a "leadership
position" (no further information) on the Standing Commission.


2. (C) Finally, we note that Al-Hadid has a mixed reputation
in Amman, where his fellow humanitarian organizations
(including the International Federation of the Red Cross/Red
Crescent Societies) and donor organizations are critical of
his management abilities. While we share these operational
concerns, we do not believe they would affect Al-Hadid's
ability to exercise an effective political leadership role in
the Standing Commission.


3. (U) Visit Embassy Amman's classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/or access the site
through the State Department's SIPRNET home page.
GNEHM