The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent are the cornerstone of the doctrine of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Movement's mission and its activities are built on the Principles, which are binding on all its components in all circumstances. The members of the Movement are under the obligation to spread understanding and knowledge of the Principles, the better to ensure respect for them.

It has rightly been said that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement does not stand for any specific philosophy or moral doctrine. Neither the fundamental principles nor international humanitarian law (IHL) provide a methodical interpretation of human nature or an inventory of the moral rights and obligations of the Movement's members. The Movement adheres to no particular ideology or political system. On the contrary, its universality enables it, with varying degrees of success, to adapt to or even influence various political regimes or tendencies in order to promote humanitarian aims. This ability can be attributed in particular to its respect for the principle of neutrality.

On 27 June 1986, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave judgment in the case concerning Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua. The case, involving Nicaragua against the United States of America, is remarkable in many respects, and so is the judgment. I should like to single out two special features: it deals with a situation of armed conflict, and it mentions the Red Cross.

Of all the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, neutrality and impartiality are perhaps the least well understood. They are often confused with each other and give rise to controversy. How can a National Society that is an auxiliary of the public authorities possibly be called neutral? Isn't neutrality sometimes synonymous with passivity or indifference? Can the ICRC regard itself as neutral when it points publicly to violations of international humanitarian law? Does impartiality mean sharing relief equally between the victims on both sides of a conflict? Is it possible to give humanitarian assistance to only one of the parties without violating the principles of neutrality and impartiality? These are questions that have occurred to every man and woman working in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

It is an honour and a privilege for me to speak to you today, as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Geneva Convention.

This commemoration is of special significance in that the Geneva Convention—which deals with the situation of war wounded—was the first text providing for international humanitarian action and regulating individual behaviour in certain defined circumstances.

As part of its activities to mark the 125th anniversary of its foundation on 4 February 1864, the Belgian Red Cross has been taking stock of its work to date and future possibilities for Red Cross action in various domains.

From 15 to 22 April 1989, the French-language Community of the Belgian Red Cross held a series of one-day symposiums in which Society volunteers and officials as well as many outside individuals and associations took part.

At its latest meeting of 4 and 5 October, the Assembly of the International Committee of the Red Cross appointed two new members to the Committee and nominated an acting Director of Operations.

The two new members of the Committee are Mr. Max Daetwyler and Mr. Marco Mumenthaler. Their appointment brings membership of the ICRC Assembly, which is composed exclusively of Swiss citizens, to 25.

On 13 November 1989, the Head of the Federal Military Department and Mrs. Villiger visited the International Committee of the Red Cross, where they were received by President Cornelio Sommaruga. Mr. Villiger was accompanied by, Majors General Peter Eichenberger, Chief Medical Officer, Carlo Vincenz, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, and Fritz Husi, Director of the Federal Office of Adjutancy.

For several days in October, the ICRC and humanitarian law had a high profile at United Nations Headquarters in New York. On 13 October, a ceremony was held there to mark the 125 th anniversary of the original Geneva Convention of 1864. This was followed by the opening of an exhibition on the Geneva Conventions and the work of the ICRC.

In September, the ICRC began its annual seed distribution programme for some 120,000 families on the Angolan Planalto. The delegation continued to keep the food situation there under close observation and distributed food where necessary. The many nutritional surveys carried out on the Planalto showed an alarming rise in the rate of malnutrition.