US embassy cable - 05OTTAWA3397

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003397 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, PREF, AORC, IS, SZ, CA, ICRC 
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS MDA'S INCLUSION AND IS READY TO 
LOBBY 
 
REF: SECSTATE 206948 
 
Classified By: Pol M/C Brian Flora  Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) 
 
1.  (U) Poloff delivered reftel on 15 November to Alexandra 
MacKenzie in the Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Response 
Group at Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC). 
 
2.  (C)  MacKenzie emphasized the importance of ensuring the 
success of the Geneva conference, as well as the adoption by 
consensus of a more universal emblem that would pave the way 
for full MDA membership in the International Red Cross/Red 
Crescent Movement.  She stressed that the protocol's adoption 
would enhance humanitarian action and effectiveness in places 
beyond the Middle East, including Sudan, Tajikstan and 
Eritrea, where the currently-used symbols detract from the 
humanitarian mandate of the organization. 
 
3.  (C)  She stated that the GoC continues to work closely 
and in a supportive manner with the Government of Switzerland 
(GoS) and has recently asked the GoS for advise about ways to 
continue the positive momentum prior to the December 
conference.  MacKenzie's FAC colleagues in Bern and 
Washington are meeting within the next few days with their 
counterparts to determine a plan of action.  She expressed 
GoC's willingness to entertain both GoS requests as well as 
to those of the USG. 
 
4.  (C)  Action Request:  First, Post requests information 
from Washington that identifies OIC members who can influence 
a positive outcome on the protocol, in order that GoC 
lobbying efforts complement those of the USG, as well as 
those of Switzerland.  Second, the GoC would like to know the 
composition of the US delegation to the Geneva Conference and 
will share the names of their delegates when available. 
Lastly, the GoC is interested in the status of the 
discussions between the MDA and the Palestinian Red Crescent 
Society and how those discussions will influence the 
decisions of various OIC members. 
 
5.  (U)  Post will pass along additional details from the 
GoC, as they become available. 
 
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa 
 
WILKINS