Jakob Kellenberger, Reflections on the job
by Jean-François Berger

What kind of experience do you mean?
Mainly negotiation and strategic thinking.

Before coming to the ICRC, had you already had any personal or professional contacts with the Red Cross world?
Professional, in as much as Switzerland is the state depositary of the Geneva Conventions.

How are you finding the move from a rather cocooned reality - that of Swiss diplomacy - to one of conflicts?
I wouldn't describe my diplomatic life as Secretary of State and head negotiator with the European Union as "cocooned" ... (Smile). The big difference is that I am now in direct touch with the reality of armed conflicts and their human consequences in the field ... to which I quite often go.

Where in particular?
Afghanistan, Angola, Rwanda, Uganda, Western Sahara, Algeria, Russia, Colombia, to name but a few... It is in these places that you understand the real challenges facing the ICRC. I am thinking especially treading for that fine line between being close to the victims and ensuring the vital security of our staff.

Your predecessor Cornelio Sommaruga's motto was: "steadfastness, rigour, humility". Do you have one of your own?
I am not one for mottos, but I do have great faith in the power of will and I believe that every individual and every human institution can find ways to improve.

Of your priorities for the ICRC, which do you hold dearest?
The ICRC's fundamental tasks are well known. What matters is to carry them out in the best way possible and I intend to contribute to that: that's my priority as president. I would also like to help the ICRC establish a clear position for itself in a constantly shifting humanitarian world. While reaffirming its identity, the ICRC must also foster a spirit of cooperation with other actors, notably with the Movement's components. Indeed, being open to cooperation is the greatest proof of confidence in one's own identity! In addition, it is important to gradually put into practice the conclusions of the report on women and war. Most of all I hope that we can achieve greater respect for humanitarian law, for I was horrified to discover the enormous gap between existing rules and their implementation.

Have you any new ideas on how to reduce this gap?
The ICRC and the other components of the Movement are already doing a lot. Humanitarian diplomacy must be used systematically to achieve better application of humanitarian law. Above all, states must clearly show that respect for this law is important to them. I think the customary international law study* will provide a basis to intensify our demands vis-à-vis actors in conflicts, especially in internal conflicts. Reference to certain customary rules could be very valuable to us in our dialogue to make the parties to conflict assume their responsibilities.

How are relations between the ICRC and the European Union?
The European Union plays a political and security role whose importance is growing and which will aim to be more effective in conflict prevention. In this respect, the EU is looking for strong partnerships with certain organizations, including the ICRC. The ICRC sees this partnership above all as an ongoing political dialogue with the different bodies dealing with foreign affairs and security. What should this dialogue be about? Mainly the support the EU can give to the ICRC's humanitarian activities, the development of humanitarian law in certain crisis areas. The EU has been called upon to play a greater role in the political and humanitarian arena in the future, so that this dialogue should also prove useful the day both the EU and the ICRC find themselves on the same turf, but with different rules of engagement. Basically, we need to know each other well in good time.

And what about relations with NATO?
We know NATO well. In the field, the ICRC has had contacts with NATO for five years, in particular with SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina and more recently with KFOR in Kosovo.

In fact, NATO can become a party to the conflict, as we saw during its intervention in Kosovo...
True. For that reason, the ICRC has reminded NATO that its forces are also bound to respect humanitarian law. Like others, but without putting too fine a point on it, I don't like the shortened term "humanitarian intervention" to describe a military intervention, as it implies the use of force, a notion that does not sit well with "humanitarian". However, I have no problem with the idea of a "military intervention for humanitarian purposes". A political-military operation can have a humanitarian dimension, such as, for example, enabling the return of refugees and displaced people, restoring law and order or creating an environment in which humanitarian agencies can work.

Since you took office at the ICRC, what have been the main difficulties you have encountered?
My constant concern is staff security. The tragic and brutal killing of six ICRC staff members on 26 April in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was a terrible shock and very traumatic. The year 2000 was relatively stable on the security front, so the murder of our colleagues was a harsh reminder of the risks of working in the heart of a conflict zone today.

Is there any other issue that has required a particular commitment from you?
The emblem issue, which has remained unresolved for too long. We urgently need to find a solution that will enable the Magen David Adom and other societies to become full members of the Movement. At the beginning of September 2000, the huge progress made since the beginning of the year meant that we had a real chance of achieving our objective by the end of the year. Unfortunately, the rise in tensions in the Middle East after 28 September disrupted the timetable set by the Movement to resolve the issue. Creating the conditions for the full participation of all the societies in the Movement is still a priority for me, despite the current difficulties.

Today, the ICRC is active in some 30 conflict areas. Which of these concerns you most from a humanitarian point of view?
What worries me most is the number of conflicts that have been going on for a very long time, as brutal as ever, without the vaguest hint of a political solution. These are the cases where the lack of political will of the parties involved is blatant and where the international community has little interest in finding a solution. At the same time, I appreciate the exceptional motivation one must have to pursue a humanitarian career day after day in contexts as intractable as these.

In the current climate, what is your vision for the Movement and how do you see it evolving? What might be its greatest hurdles and priorities for the 21st century?
The Movement adopted a Plan of Action before I became president of the ICRC and that is still valid. For me, the Movement, as a network of privileged cooperation between strong and competent partners, has a clear potential. It is important in this context that there is solidarity between the components of the Movement and that those who encounter difficulties are supported. It is also important that the cooperation agreements established, notably Seville, are respected. Lastly, we must improve the compatibility of the management processes of the Movement's components, as has already been done with logistics and communication, while respecting each other's identities.

Moreover, I was struck, during my several visits, by the diversity of the activities of the National Societies in their local contexts, the common denominator being the relevance of the Movement's fundamental principles.

Are you happy with the current state of relations with the Federation?
Relations between the two institutions are very good, judging by the spirit of cooperation and the extent of the complementarity that exists. I'd also point to the mutual desire of both institutions to work in the interests of effective humanitarian action.