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Red Cross deal allowing Israel is seen close

Posted on: Monday, 5 December 2005, 10:33 CST

By Robert Evans

GENEVA (Reuters) - Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey expressed confidence on Monday that a long-running squabble over how Israel can be brought into the Red Cross/Red Crescent family was close to resolution.

The minister was speaking at the opening of a two-day conference of the global movement called to discuss creation of a new, third -- and totally neutral -- emblem that could be used by humanitarian workers in conflict situations.

"The adoption of an additional emblem free of any national, political or religious connotation will put at our disposal an additional instrument for the protection of both civilian and military health services on the field of battle..." she said.

"It would also help protect humanitarian workers in situations where the present two emblems "are not sufficiently recognized and respected."

The emergence of a consensus on a new emblem over the past few weeks -- which have seen Israeli and Palestinian emergency services sign a Swiss-mediated pact linked to it -- "has opened up the process which we hope to see crowned with success at this conference," Calmy-Rey added.

The emblem, displayed by movement officials for photographers at the opening of the gathering, is in the form of an equilateral diamond-shaped red crystal on a white background.

Inside it, national humanitarian agencies which want to be part of the overall movement could place any symbol that has been in use for an extended time -- like Israel's Magen David Adom's Red Star of David.

ISLAMIC STATES BAULKED

For years Islamic states, whose crescent emblem was added to that of the cross as a joint symbol for the movement in 1983, have resisted recognition of Israel's first aid body's red star.

But they have relaxed their approach following persistent diplomatic efforts by Switzerland -- depository of the Geneva Conventions which set out agreed parameters for humanitarian work -- for action to break the deadlock.

The movement is built around the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which links national bodies and focuses on disaster relief, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), whose prime mandate is aiding wounded in conflict situations and visiting prisoners.

Both organizations are based in Geneva, often dubbed the world's humanitarian capital.

ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger told the conference that the movement needed support of the 192 countries who have signed the Geneva Conventions "to reach universality and fulfil its mission as well as it can."

Swiss officials say the Israeli-Palestinian accord, signed in Geneva on November 28 and allowing the Palestinian Red Crescent to operate as the sole first aid service in occupied territories, appeared to have removed remaining obstacles.

But a similar deal still has to be concluded between Israeli and Syrian first aid bodies to cover the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Calmy-Rey said indirect talks between the two had just begun but had already seen progress.

Source: REUTERS

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