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