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Judgement day looms for new Red Cross symbol
swissinfo SRI ^ | 12-5-05 | Adam Beaumont

Posted on 12/05/2005 11:29:28 AM PST by kingattax

Representatives from 192 countries are due in Geneva on Monday for a conference to decide whether to adopt a new emblem for the Red Cross movement.

The two-day meeting is the result of tightrope diplomacy by Switzerland to resolve the long-standing issue of a third humanitarian symbol.

The Red Cross, the Red Crescent and the new Red Crystal (Keystone)

Approval of the so-called "red crystal" by the signatory states moved a step closer last week when the Israeli and Palestinian emergency services signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement.

The accord, brokered by the Swiss foreign ministry, cleared the way for a deal on a new emblem in addition to the red cross and red crescent currently in use.

A successful outcome in Geneva would mark the end of months of delicate shuttle diplomacy by the Swiss to resolve what Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey described last week as a "century-old controversy".

"Switzerland in its capacity as the depositary of the Geneva Conventions has done its best – and will continue to do so – in order to facilitate a harmonious and consensus-based solution to the emblem question," foreign ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel told swissinfo.

"The diplomatic conference is the right time to achieve this long-term goal."

Red crystal

Under the change, countries would be able to place their own symbols inside the red crystal, as long as they have been in use for some time.

This would open the door for Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) to finally join the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement after more than 50 years.

The Israeli emergency service refuses to use either of the two globally recognised symbols, opting instead for a red Star of David.

Arab countries have previously resisted any attempt to accommodate the Israelis within the international movement.

But last week's recognition by Israel of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the improved situation in the occupied territories has led to a softening of their stance.

Middle East

Calmy-Rey travelled to the Middle East in October to try to shore up support for the new emblem and mediate between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

A previous attempt by the Swiss in 2000 to resolve the issue of a third emblem foundered following the outbreak of the second Palestinian Intifada.

In the same year the American Red Cross stopped its contributions to the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in protest at the continued isolation of MDA. This amounts to $35 million (SFr46 million) in lost revenue for the IFRC.

Devorah Goldberg, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said the organisation was unlikely to review its position until MDA had been granted membership.

Speaking ahead of the conference, the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was optimistic that the additional protocol to the Conventions, incorporating the red crystal, would be passed.

"This is very much a matter for the states, but from our perspective the signs have been positive since September," ICRC spokesman Ian Piper told swissinfo. "But it's not a done deal until it's signed."

Representatives from 123 countries participated in informal discussions in Geneva in September, paving the way for this week's diplomatic conference.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: genevaconvention; icrc; redcrescent; redcross; redcrystal; starofdavid; switzerland; symbol
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1 posted on 12/05/2005 11:29:28 AM PST by kingattax
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To: kingattax

Why not the donut?


2 posted on 12/05/2005 11:30:18 AM PST by Semper Paratus
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To: kingattax

I'm offended. I like krystals..........


3 posted on 12/05/2005 11:30:36 AM PST by Red Badger (Dan rather didn't say "Courage", he said "Couric"..................)
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To: kingattax

Who's the red crystal for? Washed up New Agers?


4 posted on 12/05/2005 11:31:11 AM PST by English Nationalist
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To: kingattax

Since the Red Cross is in no way a religious organization, I think they should adopt the Red Diamond for all operations, and do away with the cross and crescent altogether.


5 posted on 12/05/2005 11:31:53 AM PST by gridlock (eliminate perverse incentives)
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To: kingattax

Who cares? They can be the red swastica for all I care. I know two things:

They are red... as in commie red.
And they'll never get a nickel of my money.


6 posted on 12/05/2005 11:32:08 AM PST by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: kingattax
Did someone say Krystal?


7 posted on 12/05/2005 11:32:13 AM PST by js1138 (Great is the power of steady misrepresentation.)
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To: kingattax

Why not Red Lobster?


8 posted on 12/05/2005 11:32:28 AM PST by jjm2111 (99.7 FM Radio Kuwait - Whatever you do, don't say the 'C' word!"_)
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To: kingattax

You mean they won't sue us for putting red crosses on our 1st aid kits any more?


9 posted on 12/05/2005 11:33:08 AM PST by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker!)
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To: kingattax

What about all of those swiss army knives?


10 posted on 12/05/2005 11:33:22 AM PST by billhilly (John Murtha, ex Marine. Leading the charge of the Demoquits.)
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To: Semper Paratus
This one?.......
11 posted on 12/05/2005 11:34:27 AM PST by Red Badger (Dan rather didn't say "Courage", he said "Couric"..................)
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To: gridlock
Since the Red Cross is in no way a religious organization, I think they should adopt the Red Diamond for all operations, and do away with the cross and crescent altogether.

It was never intended to be a religious symbol. The red cross was formed by a Swiss guy and he simply reversed the swiss flag, which is a white cross on a red background.

12 posted on 12/05/2005 11:34:50 AM PST by BRITinUSA
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To: jjm2111
Why not Red Lobster?

Insensitive to those with shellfood diet restrictions.

I hear that Helen Reddy is looking for a new gig, though.

13 posted on 12/05/2005 11:35:00 AM PST by r9etb
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To: js1138

DANG IT! Now you gone and made me hungry!.........


14 posted on 12/05/2005 11:35:35 AM PST by Red Badger (Dan rather didn't say "Courage", he said "Couric"..................)
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To: English Nationalist

Makes a really nice target for terrorists.


15 posted on 12/05/2005 11:36:52 AM PST by dhs12345 (w)
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To: jjm2111
Why not Red Lobster?

LOL! You made me choke on my soda!

16 posted on 12/05/2005 11:37:06 AM PST by American Quilter
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To: kingattax
I must confess a certain fondness for the Red Triangle...


17 posted on 12/05/2005 11:37:16 AM PST by gridlock (eliminate perverse incentives)
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To: kingattax; gridlock
The Israeli emergency service refuses to use either of the two globally recognised symbols, opting instead for a red Star of David.

Duh! That would be because the "two globally recognized symbols" are both explicit symbols of specific religions that are in major theological conflict with Judaism. It would make more sense for the IFRC to get rid of the "two globally recognized symbols" and replace them with something totally non-sectarian. Keeping those two and then adding a "crystal" box for Israel to squish its religious symbol into, isn't much of an improvement IMO. Why shouldn't the cross and crescent have to be squished inside "crystals" too?

18 posted on 12/05/2005 11:37:58 AM PST by GovernmentShrinker
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To: kingattax
No to the Red Cross & United Way!

Yes to The Boy Scouts of America!

19 posted on 12/05/2005 11:38:01 AM PST by TexasCajun
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To: Red Badger
How about Little Red Corvette?


20 posted on 12/05/2005 11:38:15 AM PST by bikepacker67
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