MDA DEMARCHE - FUNDING NATIONAL SOCIETIES -

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001854 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PHUM DR ICRC PREL HA SZ SUBJECT: MDA DEMARCHE - FUNDING NATIONAL SOCIETIES - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI REF: STATE 088825 ¶1. Per guidance reftel, Embassy contacted the American Red Cross field representative for the Caribbean, David Hintch, who is based in Santo Domingo and works closely with the Dominican Red Cross. He had already spoken with the Dominican Red Cross about attendance at the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. He said the Dominican Red Cross had assured him it would send a delegation to Geneva for the conference; the delegation is likely to include the president and the secretary general. The Dominicans did not/not mention any SIPDIS need for assistance with funding. ¶2. Hintch also told us that the president of the Haitian Red Cross, Micheale Gedeon, is currently in Santo Domingo and has told Hintch that the Haitian society will also be represented at the conference. She did not request any financial assistance; he assumes she has received support from other sources. ¶3. According to Hintch, in various meetings with the Dominican and Haitian Red Cross leaders, he has emphasized the importance of attending the conference and voting in favor of amending the statutes to establish the Red Crystal emblem. Although they have not divulged their position, they are well aware of the importance that U.S. authorities attach to this statutory revision. HERTELL