BAHRAIN: URGENT DEMARCHE ON MAGEN DAVID ADOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000913

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL BA ICRC
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: URGENT DEMARCHE ON MAGEN DAVID ADOM

REF: A. STATE 118394

B. MANAMA 826

C. STATE 104272

Classified by Pol/Econ Chief Steve Bondy for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

(C) Pol/Econ chief June 27 delivered Ref A demarche
concerning the Magen David Adom (MDA) symbol to MFA Director
for International Organization Affairs Ghassan Shaikho.
Shaikho said he was aware of our interest in a Swiss
diplomatic conference on MDA (Refs B, C). He stated that
Bahrain believes now is not the right time to hold a
conference on this subject. The Bahraini mission in Geneva
is conducting quiet consultations on the issue, but otherwise
the GOB will maintain a low profile. He suggested that
positive movement on peace negotiations between Israel and
the Palestinians could improve the atmosphere for a
conference on the MDA symbol.

MONROE