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Syrian demands hold up Red Cross emblem deal

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 December 2005, 13:58 CST

GENEVA (Reuters) - Syrian demands for an accord giving it first-aid access to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday held up an international agreement on creating a third emblem for the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.

Swiss officials said they were still hopeful an emblem deal -- that would clear the way for Israel to join the movement -- could be reached and a formal protocol signed on Wednesday, a day later than originally hoped.

"It is still not clear what will happen, but the hope is still there that problems will be resolved," said one official, who declined to be named.

Delegates declined comment as they emerged for an evening break in the conference, called by Switzerland at the request of the humanitarian movement and as depository state of the Geneva Conventions that underpin it.

But diplomats said talks were under way through an intermediary between Syria and Israel outside the conference center in a bid to shape an agreement that would satisfy both sides, who are formally at war.

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has been active over the past year in clinching an agreement between Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) and the Palestinian Red Crescent. She hoped the new emblem could be agreed by consensus.

Officials said if it was taken to a vote among 140 delegations present from the 192 who have signed the Geneva Conventions, the outcome was uncertain as representatives of many countries have indicated they have no voting instructions.

A two-third vote of delegations present is needed for the emblem -- a red diamond on a white background in which Israel could inscribe its Red Star of David.

MUST BE HEARD

"Our demands are legitimate and legal and must be heard," Syrian Minister of State Bashar al-Shaar told a news conference.

"Our people suffer terribly through lack of medical services," he said.

Syrian officials said they wanted a similar accord to that signed between the MDA and the Palestinian Red Crescent last week giving the latter sole responsibility for emergency services in the occupied territories, seized along with the Golan in the 1967 Middle East war.

In addition, they were asking for a hospital to be built in the area and ambulances provided, said the head of the Syrian Red Crescent, Abdul Rahman Al Attar.

Inside the emblem, national humanitarian agencies could place any symbol that has been in use for an extended time -- such as the Red Star of David of Israel's Magen David Adom.

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.

However, they have largely 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.

Source: REUTERS

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