Cablegate: Mda: Iceland Will Be Supportive at June 20 International

VZCZCXRO3639
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHRK #0224 1701541
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191541Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2840
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0037

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000224

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE, SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM ICRC IC IS
SUBJECT: MDA: ICELAND WILL BE SUPPORTIVE AT JUNE 20 INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE

REFS: (A) STATE 95184, (B) STATE 99423

1. (SBU) Post discussed points from refs A and B with Icelandic
Ministry for Foreign Affairs Human Rights Officer Ingibjorg
Davidsdottir June 14 and 19, respectively. Following consultation
with the MFA PermSec and the Icelandic Mission in Geneva,
Davidsdottir replied as follows:

-- Iceland will vote against any motion to adjourn the June 20-21
29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

-- The Icelandic delegation in Geneva is prepared to vote in favor
of the proposed amendments to the Statutes of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement should we be unable to approve the
amendments by consensus.

-- The Icelandic MFA has explained the importance of the red crystal
issue to its National Society counterparts - who agreed
wholeheartedly.

-- A representative of the Icelandic delegation will be present as
much as possible during the Conference.

-- The Icelandic Mission in Geneva is in close contact and
cooperation especially with the other Nordic countries' and European
Union's missions in Geneva on this issue.

-- Should the Organization of the Islamic Conference try to steer
debate in a political direction, Iceland will deliver a statement
along the lines the U.S. requests if/if its European neighbors are
doing the same.

2. (SBU) Comment: Iceland is safely in our corner but will not
strike any direct blows absent Nordic/European cover. Such caution
is characteristic of Icelandic conduct in international
organizations and especially unsurprising with new Foreign Minister
Valgerdur Sverrisdottir only in office since June 15. End comment.

VAN VOORST

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