The Difficulties Inherent in Neutrality

Like most international aid agencies the Red Cross long ago recognized the need to remain neutral, not to take sides, to be viewed by all as interested only in assisting those in need of medical help in dire situations. Red Cross personnel risk their very lives when they deliberately and with the thought of victims uppermost in their minds insinuate themselves into the centre of war-torn areas, into actual theatres of war.

It is integral to their effectiveness that their world-renowned insignia and their reputation for non-judgemental medical aid and emergency social assistance be regarded as non-interferingly useful to civilian populations. To that end they cultivate an atmosphere of reliability, of being there when their services are needed, whether in fallout from natural disasters or civil war.

Increasingly and abidingly, they face up to terrorist activities that impinge very directly on innocent peoples' lives. They also, in service to the victims of dire dictatorships intervene to rehabilitate thousands of lives temporarily lost to the imperatives of war, rescuing children abducted to serve as war slaves or child soldiers.

They have learned to deal dispassionately with the most human-debased predators to make deals with these human reptiles for the sake of those who need their help. "There are over 400 terrorist organizations, and the reality is you have to deal with them because they control access to our beneficiaries" explained Ted Itani of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

They observe their own code of ethics reflecting the Red Cross guiding principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. They offer advice to the military and to private contractors who perform quasi-military protection services, to ensure they are in compliance with international humanitarian law and principles governing organizations providing post-conflict assistance.

Red Cross volunteers learn to become adept at judging the 'maturity' of militia leaders to maintain their promises made to humanitarian aid agencies - the outcome of which can seriously affect the long-term stability and effectiveness of a relief mission. While at the same time taking diplomatic care that their dealings are never construed by one side as tacit recognition or legitimization of their activities over the opposing side.

The Red Cross' reputation has instilled trust in the most egregious areas, enabling them access to prisoners in the most difficult of circumstances to ensure they receive humane treatment. There are times when they can effectively deal with insurgents' political intractability, to persuade them to turn their backs on dissent and agree to taking part in negotiated settlements.

As examples of former dissenters-turned-legitimate he pointed out former South African president Nelson Mandela, imprisoned for decades as a 'threat to the state', and on the other hand, the late Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat - both part of movements characterized as terrorist in nature - both of whom went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. From the sublime to the slime.

What was particularly telling, and somehow not all that surprising, was Mr. Itani's admission that despite repeated efforts by the Red Cross, armed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas deny relief workers access to detainees or prisoners of war.