Introduction in French only

The World Radiocommunication Conference (Istanbul, 2000),

considering

a) that the worldwide humanitarian operations carried out by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – composed of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – are of great importance and often indispensable;

b) that in such circumstances normal communication facilities are frequently overloaded, damaged, completely interrupted or not available;

c) that it is necessary to facilitate by all possible measures the reliable intervention of these national and international organizations;

d) that rapid and independent contact is essential to the intervention of these organizations;

e) that for the efficient and safe conduct of their humanitarian operations, these organizations rely heavily on two-way wireless telecommunication facilities, and particularly on an extensive HF and VHF radio network,

resolves to urge administrations

1. to take account of the possible needs of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for two-way wireless telecommunication means when normal communication facilities are interrupted or not available;

2. to assign to these organizations the minimum number of necessary working frequencies in accordance with the Radio Regulations;

3. to take all practicable steps to protect such communications from harmful interference.