Hizbollah Ignores the ICRC

[Annie]

:shocked: I'm just, :shocked: I'm quite sure Hizbollah is not an ICRC supporter or member. Just one of the problems in trying to treat a non-state entity as one. In actuality, the problem is the world is not thinking how to deal with the new parameters. The US and Israel are being held to the 'old ways' while the 'terrorists', 'insurgents', 'freedom fighters' go along their own ways.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060728/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictlebanon

No positive response from Hezbollah on Israeli prisoners: ICRC

Fri Jul 28, 6:48 PM ET

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had not received agreement so far to its request to visit two Israeli soldiers abducted by Hezbollah guerrillas.

"To this day we have not received a positive response," said Pierre Kraehenbuehl, director of operations at the ICRC.

The approach to the Lebanese Shiite group was first when the soldiers were seized during a border attack on July 12, he told reporters.

The Geneva-based humanitarian agency carries out visits to detainees captured in conflicts worldwide, including in Israel, to ensure they are treated humanely.

Kraehenbuehl said the ICRC had also reminded Hezbollah of its obligation to ensure proper treatment of its prisoners.

Hezbollah said last week that it had agreed to allow the Lebanese government to deal through a third party with Israel on a prisoner swap involving the soldiers, whose capture provoked the conflict in south Lebanon.

Israel has demanded their unconditional release.

Diplomats said earlier this month that an effort was under way to try to transfer the two Israelis to Lebanese authorities in a bid to end the conflict in south Lebanon.

The ICRC has helped carry out prisoner exchanges in the past.

"If there are negotiations under way, we are certainly not aware of them," said the agency's senior official for the Middle East, Balthasar Staehelin.