US embassy cable - 05MADRID980

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000980 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, PREF, IS, RS, CASC, ASCH, XG, SP, ICRC 
SUBJECT: SPAIN SUPPORTS CONSENSUS EFFORTS ON MDA MEMBERSHIP 
IN RED CROSS / RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT 
 
REF: SECSTATE 32753 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Robert Riley for Reasons 1.4 (b) and ( 
d). 
 
1.  (C)  Poloff discussed Magen David Adom (MDA) membership 
in the Red Cross / Red Crescent movement ("the Movement") on 
March 14 with Manuel Pombo, Ambassador at Large for 
Humanitarian and Social Affairs.  Spain strongly supports the 
work of the Swiss government in trying to reach a consensus 
on this issue.  Pombo said that Spain agrees that the issue 
of the MDA involvement should be considered on humanitarian 
grounds and that disputes between Israel and Palestine should 
not be considered in the membership process.  He said that a 
neutral logo would probably be the best solution for 
everybody involved in the process on the question of the 
organization's emblem.  He indicated Spain would support a 
consensus agreement worked out by the Swiss.  He emphasized 
that the Red Cross has always been independent and 
non-political, including the MDA in Israel.  Pombo said that 
a consensus agreement on admitting the MDA is only half of 
the solution; the practicalities on the ground, including 
what logo to use on vehicles and with relief aid in disputed 
areas, could be more difficult to resolve. 
 
2.  (C)  COMMENT:  Despite our efforts to pin him down, Pombo 
avoided stating that Spain would unequivocally support MDA's 
membership in the Movement.  Nonetheless, given his remarks 
about supporting a consensus, we think Spain will support 
membership provided the Muslim countries' concerns are taken 
into account in the consensus process. 
MANZANARES