PARAGUAY ON SWISS CONFERENCE TO ADOPT A THIRD

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000764 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PHUM PREF PREL IS SZ PA ICRC SUBJECT: PARAGUAY ON SWISS CONFERENCE TO ADOPT A THIRD ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS REF: STATE 104272 On June 8, POLOFF met with Julio Peralta, Director for International Organizations within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver reftel demarche and talking points. POLOFF urged Peralta to support the Swiss Government's circular note and to convey such support to them prior to June 17. Peralta stated to POLOFF that he was familiar with the issue and knew of the Magen David Adom (MDA) group's work. While, he noted that personally he agreed with the merits of adopting a third protocol to the Geneva Conventions that would provide added protection for humanitarian groups operating outside of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movements, he could not state the GOP's position without first discussing the matter with his colleagues in Geneva. He mentioned that he would pass along the talking points and would let POLOFF know the GOP position soon. Post will follow-up on the issue and forward the response as it becomes available. KEANE