TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 142

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To carry out these ideals, a protection symbol was chosen: the

Red Cross on a white flag and movements were created in all nations

at the instigation of the founding committee which was later to

be called the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Through the subsequent numerous conflicts, the action of taking

care of victims was extended and the initial concept developed

into full legal instruments, the International Humanitarian Law,

which by now almost the entire international community has

committed itself to respect. So many times also ICRC has been

in the middle of these conflicts as a neutral intermediary.

The question of ICRC's mediations in conflict situations is

often raised. A distinction has to be made here between good

offices exercised for the solution of political problems and

those intended to solve humanitarian problems.

While considering good offices with a view to avoiding or putting

an end to hostilities, it is hardly conceivable to see a neutral

mediator such as ICRC in this role.

Good offices aimed at seeking solutions to humanitarian problems

are a different matter. You are certainly familiar with ICRC's

neutral mediation in this field and also the results it has

achieved in many parts of the world. The ICRC negotiated

agreements for example in connection with the repatriation of

prisoners and with family reunification as well as with the

evacuation of war-wounded or of civilian populations from

fighting areas.

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