SPAIN SUPPORTS SWISS CIRCULAR NOTE AND DIPLOMATIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002318

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015
TAGS: AORC PHUM PREF PREL IS SZ SP ICRC
SUBJECT: SPAIN SUPPORTS SWISS CIRCULAR NOTE AND DIPLOMATIC
CONFERENCE FOR THIRD ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL

REF: SECSTATE 104272

Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick for Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

(C) Poloff delivered reftel talking points and a copy of the
Swiss circular note to Manuel Pombo, Ambassador at Large for
Humanitarian and Social Affairs, on June 14. Pombo stated
that Spain is in full agreement with U.S. efforts to convene
an October 2005 diplomatic conference to help achieve full
membership of the Israeli National Society, Magen David Adom
(MDA),in the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
He added that Spain fully supports the U.S. positions and the
contents of the Swiss Circular note that asks for the
adoption of the Third Additional Protocol creating a new,
additional emblem for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
Pombo said that Spain would be active on this issue and would
help lobby and "arm twist" Arab nations that were friends of
Spain to agree to the conference. Spain fully supports MDA
membership in the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and would
like to see the process done as quickly as possible. Pombo
said that once a universal symbol (most likely a "red
crystal" that allows for clear space where a national society
can place a cross, crescent, star, or shield) is accepted, an
additional conference in January or February 2006 would then
resolve the details of its use.

MANZANARES