MDA:FRENCH RESPONSE ON CONFERENCE FOR MDA

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001515

SIPDIS

GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL PREF IS FR ICRC
SUBJECT: MDA:FRENCH RESPONSE ON CONFERENCE FOR MDA
MEMBERSHIP IN RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT

REF: STATE 32753

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Poloff presented reftel talking points to MFA IO
Middle East expert Alice Guitton February 25. On March 4,
during a discussion of Israeli participation in other
international organizations (septel),MFA DAS-equivalent
Jean-Pierre Lacroix told us that France favored Magen David
Adom (MDA) joining the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and
that a diplomatic conference to address the issue was under
consideration.


2. (C) Lacroix anticipated that there would be resistance
from some Arab countries, but said that representatives at
the conference from countries favorable to MDA's membership
could work together on the issue.
Leach