Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
December 3, 2003

28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

The 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is taking
place in Geneva, December 2-6, 2003. The United States Government delegation,
which consists of State, USAID, HHS and DOD officials, is headed by Senator
Nancy Kassebaum Baker, and includes Assistant Secretary Arthur E. Dewey of the
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Ambassador Kevin E. Moley of
the United States Mission, Geneva.

The theme of the 28th International Conference is Protecting Human Dignity .
There are four principal topics for discussion: the issue of missing persons
due to armed conflict and internal violence; the human costs of the use of
certain weapons; reducing the risk and impact of natural disaster and improving
response mechanisms; and reducing the risk and impact of HIV/AIDS and other
infectious diseases on vulnerable people.

The Conference, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC), brings together national societies and States party to the
1949 Geneva Conventions. The Conference is the highest policy-making forum for
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It is held every four
years.

2003/1219
[End]

Released on December 3, 2003