AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PHILIPPINE RED CROSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 002104 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2016 TAGS: AORC PHUM PREL PREF ICRC RP IS SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PHILIPPINE RED CROSS CHAIRMAN ON RED CRYSTAL ISSUE REF: STATE 63870 Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel, Ambassador met May 17 with Senator Richard J. Gordon, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine National Red Cross, to discuss the importance of the upcoming meeting of the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its scheduled vote to establish a new emblem (Red Crystal). The Ambassador underscored the USG's commitment to building upon the positive results of the December 2005 conference, which paved the way for the upcoming vote. Emphasizing the need for his continuing support, Ambassador thanked Gordon for his leadership on the Red Crystal issue, as well as for his dedication to the Red Cross mission in the Philippines. ¶2. (C) Gordon stated his view that the December 2005 meeting had produced an effective compromise in that the Red Cross/Crescent statute may be amended to create the new emblem, thus allowing Israel and the maximum number of other countries to participate in the organization. Regarding the June ballot itself, he stated his willingness to assist our efforts to get as many "yes" votes as possible. However, in a cautionary note, Gordon voiced his frustration that some countries are opposing the amendments based solely on their political opposition to the policies of Israel, stating, "the Hamas election could be a complicating factor" and that, "there are those who want to use the Red Cross Movement politically." Further, Gordon declined to make a prediction on the ultimate outcome of the June vote. ¶3. (C) Senator Gordon has been a staunch U.S. ally across the board, and is known for working hand-in-glove with the USG in the past, such as during the aftermath of the February 17 landslide in Leyte Province that took the lives of over 1,000 people. During that crisis, Gordon publicly praised the close cooperation between the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the USG agencies that provided assistance. Gordon is a prominent senator who has previously served as a Cabinet secretary, city mayor, and Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. In his role as Chairman of the PNRC, he has pushed it to become a more professional and proactive organization. Characteristically hard-charging, we are sure he will be a strong U.S. ally during the June conference. ¶4. (C) Gordon noted he will be traveling to Geneva in mid-June for the general conference. We recommend that the U.S. delegation reach out to him there as well. Mission stands ready to further assist in any way we can. Kenney