US embassy cable - 05CAIRO2875

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002875 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, PREF, KPAL, EG, IS, SW, ICRC, IFRC 
SUBJECT: PRESSING THE MAGEN DAVID ADOM ISSUE:  SWISS ENVOY 
TO ENGAGE, EGYPTIAN RED CRESCENT DIRECTOR OPTIMISTIC 
 
REF: A. GENEVA 811 (NOTAL) 
     B. CAIRO 2515 
     C. STATE 58651 (NOTAL) 
     D. STATE 54788 (NOTAL) 
     E. BERN 459 (NOTAL) 
     F. CAIRO 1798 
     G. AMMAN 1826 
 
Classified by Acting DCM Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1.  (C) We learned from our Swiss Embassy contacts April 12 
that the new Swiss Ambassador raised the issue of an 
international conference and the Third Protocol during an 
introductory meeting April 7 with MFA Assistant Minister for 
Multilateral Affairs Ahmed Fathalla.  The senior Egyptian 
official provided the Swiss with a similar response as that 
given to us (refs B and F).  Upping the pressure, the Swiss 
are sending their newly-appointed Project Director for the 
Third Protocol conference issue (ref A), Didier Pfirter, to 
Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United 
Arab Emirates in the coming weeks to press key Arab 
governments to move forward on convening an international 
conference and addressing membership for the Magen David Adom 
(MDA) society in the international Red Cross Red Crescent 
movement.  Pfirter is expected to meet April 19-20 with 
Egyptian MFA officials, Arab League officials, and the 
Secretary General of the Egyptian Red Crescent Mamduh Gabr. 
 
SIPDIS 
We also understand that Pfirter has already been making his 
case via consultations with Arab missions in Geneva, 
including Egypt's, although this visit will be his first to 
the region in his new capacity. 
 
2.  (C) Coincidentally, poloff called on Egyptian Red 
Crescent Secretary General Gabr April 6 to discuss the MDA 
issue.  Gabr was careful to draw a line between his 
"non-governmental organization" and the GOE in terms of the 
diplomatic steps necessary to deal with the Third Protocol 
issue.  Still, he was optimistic that the issue could be 
successfully addressed by interested governments, despite 
widespread feeling in the region that the time was not right 
given the desperate humanitarian situation for Palestinians 
in the occupied territories.  Gabr said that he would inform 
the Egyptian Red Crescent Chair Suzanne Mubarak (wife of 
President Mubarak) about the USG interest in addressing the 
issue.  Note:  Gabr has considerable contacts around the 
region and, despite his low-key demeanor, may play a useful 
role -- particularly if other Arab representatives engage 
him.  End note. 
 
 
Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo 
 
You can also access this site through the 
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. 
 
GRAY