New charity logo may open door to Israel

THE Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, expressed confidence yesterday that a long-running squabble over how Israel could join the Red Cross/Red Crescent family was close to resolution.

She was speaking at the opening of a two-day conference of the global movement called to discuss creation of a totally neutral emblem - an equilateral, diamond-shaped red crystal on a white background - that could be used by humanitarian workers in conflict situations.

"The adoption of an additional emblem free of any national, political or religious connotation will put at our disposal an additional instrument for the protection of both civilian and military health services on the field of battle," she said.

The Israeli and Palestinian emergency services have signed a Swiss-mediated pact linked to the new emblem.