Protecting victims of war: the rise of terrorism has not made life easier for the International Committee of the Red Cross. The war in Iraq, coupled with the detention of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, have been a focus of media interest. The polarisation between the Eastern and the Western World creates an atmosphere of tension that the ICRC can do without.

Swiss News › Nbr. 2005, January 2005

Author: Heddema, Renske

Position:: Interview

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Interview

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Protecting victims of war: the rise of terrorism has not made life easier for the International Committee of the Red Cross. The war in Iraq, coupled with the detention of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, have been a focus of media interest. The polarisation between the Eastern and the Western World creates an atmosphere of tension that the ICRC can do without.

ICRC's president Jakob Kellenberger spoke to Swiss News' Renske Heddema in his office in Geneva.

Swiss News: On your recent visit to the US, you met with President Bush for the first time. Has the US opened up to critical voices?

Jakob Kellenberger: The purpose of the meeting, also requested by the US, was to discuss certain matters directly with President Bush. The basic attitude of the US towards the ICRC has not changed. The US has always...

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