US embassy cable - 05MADRID2318

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002318 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015 
TAGS: AORC, PHUM, PREF, PREL, IS, SZ, SP, ICRC 
SUBJECT: SPAIN SUPPORTS SWISS CIRCULAR NOTE AND DIPLOMATIC 
CONFERENCE FOR THIRD ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL 
 
REF: SECSTATE 104272 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick for Reasons 1.4 
 (b) and (d). 
 
(C)  Poloff delivered reftel talking points and a copy of the 
Swiss circular note to Manuel Pombo, Ambassador at Large for 
Humanitarian and Social Affairs, on June 14.  Pombo stated 
that Spain is in full agreement with U.S. efforts to convene 
an October 2005 diplomatic conference to help achieve full 
membership of the Israeli National Society, Magen David Adom 
(MDA), in the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement. 
He added that Spain fully supports the U.S. positions and the 
contents of the Swiss Circular note that asks for the 
adoption of the Third Additional Protocol creating a new, 
additional emblem for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement. 
Pombo said that Spain would be active on this issue and would 
help lobby and "arm twist" Arab nations that were friends of 
Spain to agree to the conference.  Spain fully supports MDA 
membership in the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and would 
like to see the process done as quickly as possible.  Pombo 
said that once a universal symbol (most likely a "red 
crystal" that allows for clear space where a national society 
can place a cross, crescent, star, or shield) is accepted, an 
additional conference in January or February 2006 would then 
resolve the details of its use. 
 
MANZANARES