A survey, over a period of time, of what the public thinks of the Red Cross as reflected in the spoken, written and audio-visual media, has led to astonishing conclusions: two diametrically opposite trends have steadily emerged. On the one hand, at national and international level, the Red Cross, whose activities over the past few years have developed to a surprising extent, has received great praise, in fact too much praise. Yet at the same time bitter criticism has constantly been levelled at the Red Cross. A study of the causes of that praise and criticism, however paradoxical this may seem, shows that both stem from the very same facts and events!

Obviously they have been due to the viewpoint held, the hopes pinned on Red Cross action, and one's idea of Red Cross possibilities. While those who are realistic in their appraisal of the Red Cross express their appreciation of the results, however meagre they may be, others show keen disappointment because they have assigned the Red Cross tasks and achievements far beyond its field of activity. In addition, all manner of personal considerations, financial and otherwise, weigh the balance this way and that. Yet by taking a closer look at things we realize that the very factors that make for the strength of the Red Cross and determine its possibilities also set its limits, even though the attempt to exceed those limits may have no untoward effect on practical activities.

Will the Red Cross survive? Should it survive? Has it really a mission in the world of today? In the world of the 1980s and thereafter? What is that mission? How can Red Cross gear up for it?

These questions have been the subject of thoughtful discussion among Red Cross people for some years. In 1972, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross Societies, in co-operation with the National Societies, decided to take a hard look at the future in the form of a comprehensive examination of the role of the Red Cross.

On 21 January 1974, the International Committee of the Red Cross issued the following appeal to the 135 States parties to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949:

On the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, the ICRC renewed its offer of services to the States concerned, with a view to the discharge of all the duties assigned it under the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949. In so far as permitted by the competent authorities, it has been able to acquit itself of part of its mandate: several thousand prisoners of war have been visited and repatriated; casualties have been cared for; and civilian victims have been given assistance.

At the end of December 1973, an ICRC delegate was in the People's Republic of the Congo, where he met Government authorities and members of the “Congolese Red Cross”. He presented the Society with a donation of 4,300 Swiss francs towards the development of its activities. A similar donation was made for the purchase of medicaments, mattresses, beds and kitchen utensils for detainees in the Brazzaville central prison.

Miss Marjorie Duvillard, whose term of office as a member of the ICRC ended in December 1973, declined re-election as a member or honorary member owing to her heavy professional activities. At its meeting on 17 January 1974, the International Committee noted Miss Duvillard's decision with regret and expressed its warm gratitude for the notable services she had rendered the Red Cross.

There have been three new appointments to the International Committee of the Red Cross. On 6 December 1973, the Assembly of the ICRC elected Mr. Hans Peter Tschudi a member of the ICRC, and on 17 January 1974 Mr. Henry Huguenin and Mr. Gottfried de Smit.

Mr. Jean-Louis Fort, Secretary-General, left the International Committee at the end of last year. During the four years which he devoted to the institution, Mr. Le Fort rendered outstanding service, contributing to the improvement of management methods and the quest for new financial resources. He also played a major role in the field of co-operation between the ICRC and the League, particularly in the pooling of Red Cross resources for large-scale international relief operations.

The ICRC wishes to draw attention to the following corrections to be made in the Summary Report of Activities from 1969 to 1972, which it had issued for the XXIInd International Conference of the Red Cross:

On page 9, column 1, the second paragraph of the section concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea should read as follows:

The ICRC asked the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for news about the people. In January 1970, the Society informed the ICRC that the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was prepared to release and repatriate those wishing to return to the Republic of Korea. Thus, thirty-nine passengers were released at Pan Mun Jom, on 14 February, while the others remained in North Korea.