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