MDA: DEMARCHE REQUEST ON CONFERENCE ON MDA

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000747 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PRM/MCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2009 TAGS: IS RS CA AS PHUM PREL PREF ICRC SUBJECT: MDA: DEMARCHE REQUEST ON CONFERENCE ON MDA MEMBERSHIP IN RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT REF: SECSTATE 32753 Classified By: POLMINCOUNS Brian Flora, reasons 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Poloff followed up on reftel demarche with Peter McRae, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department of Foreign Affairs Canada, on March 10. McRae said that in principle Canada supports the convening of a conference for Magan Adom David membership in the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and will so indicate to the Swiss. ¶2. (C) McRae said there is a Swiss Ambassador (Straehlin?) who is traveling around the world taking soundings on the issue and who will be in Ottawa later in the week. Canadian officials will give the idea a favorable reception. McRae said he understands that the Swiss do not want to take the issue forward unless they receive a positive reception, especially in the Muslim world. They believe timing is everything and want to make sure the motion will be supported. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa CELLUCCI