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