[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 AMERICAN EMBASSY SECURITY ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2415) to 
     enhance security of United States missions and personnel 
     overseas, to authorize appropriations for the Department of 
     State for fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes:

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Chairman, in 1998, when a terrorist bomb exploded in 
front of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, one of the first 
humanitarian organizations to arrive at the scene was the Magen David 
Adom.
  Magen David Adom, or MDA, entered the collapsed embassy building at 
great personal risk and saved dozens of lives. They demonstrated why 
they are considered to be one of the world's finest humanitarian 
organizations.
  Despite the bravery and competence which the MDA rescuers exhibited 
that day and every day since its founding in 1930, the International 
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has refused to 
recognize the MDA as a fully participating member. The sole reason for 
this refusal is because the MDA's symbol is a Red Star, not the Red 
Cross or Red Crescent, the only symbols recognized by the International 
Federation.
  In 1864, when the nations of the world signed a treaty to provide 
protection for hospitals, medical personnel and patients in time of 
war, it was decided that the universal symbol for humanitarian services 
would be the Swiss flag with its colors reversed.
  In Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, the Red Cross was 
considered a symbol of Christianity, and inappropriate for use as their 
humanitarian symbol. Instead, they declared that they would use a Red 
Crescent, a symbol derived from Islam. This was a reasonable request 
and the Red Crescent was recognized by the International Federation in 
1868.
  Yet, in 1949, when Israel asked for recognition of its humanitarian 
symbol, a red star on a white field, based on the ancient symbol of the 
Jewish faith, the International Federation refused, insisting that 
Israel either adopt the cross of Christianity or the crescent of the 
Muslim faith. The Israeli government refused.
  Since that date, though it has worked in partnership with the 
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the MDA is 
still denied full membership in the International Federation. This has 
gone on too long.
  This October, the International Federation will hold its 27th meeting 
in Geneva, Switzerland. This amendment directs the President to work 
with the signatories of the Geneva Convention and support a resolution 
at the International Conference to allow for the MDA to become a full 
member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent 
Societies.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

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