PRESSING THE MAGEN DAVID ADOM ISSUE: SWISS ENVOY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002875

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF KPAL EG IS SW ICRC IFRC
SUBJECT: PRESSING THE MAGEN DAVID ADOM ISSUE: SWISS ENVOY
TO ENGAGE, EGYPTIAN RED CRESCENT DIRECTOR OPTIMISTIC

REF: A. GENEVA 811 (NOTAL)

B. CAIRO 2515

C. STATE 58651 (NOTAL)

D. STATE 54788 (NOTAL)

E. BERN 459 (NOTAL)

F. CAIRO 1798

G. AMMAN 1826

Classified by Acting DCM Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) We learned from our Swiss Embassy contacts April 12
that the new Swiss Ambassador raised the issue of an
international conference and the Third Protocol during an
introductory meeting April 7 with MFA Assistant Minister for
Multilateral Affairs Ahmed Fathalla. The senior Egyptian
official provided the Swiss with a similar response as that
given to us (refs B and F). Upping the pressure, the Swiss
are sending their newly-appointed Project Director for the
Third Protocol conference issue (ref A),Didier Pfirter, to
Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United
Arab Emirates in the coming weeks to press key Arab
governments to move forward on convening an international
conference and addressing membership for the Magen David Adom
(MDA) society in the international Red Cross Red Crescent
movement. Pfirter is expected to meet April 19-20 with
Egyptian MFA officials, Arab League officials, and the
Secretary General of the Egyptian Red Crescent Mamduh Gabr.

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We also understand that Pfirter has already been making his
case via consultations with Arab missions in Geneva,
including Egypt's, although this visit will be his first to
the region in his new capacity.


2. (C) Coincidentally, poloff called on Egyptian Red
Crescent Secretary General Gabr April 6 to discuss the MDA
issue. Gabr was careful to draw a line between his
"non-governmental organization" and the GOE in terms of the
diplomatic steps necessary to deal with the Third Protocol
issue. Still, he was optimistic that the issue could be
successfully addressed by interested governments, despite
widespread feeling in the region that the time was not right
given the desperate humanitarian situation for Palestinians
in the occupied territories. Gabr said that he would inform
the Egyptian Red Crescent Chair Suzanne Mubarak (wife of
President Mubarak) about the USG interest in addressing the
issue. Note: Gabr has considerable contacts around the
region and, despite his low-key demeanor, may play a useful
role -- particularly if other Arab representatives engage
him. End note.


Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo

You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website.

GRAY