UNRWA – Fourth Cttee report

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine

Refugees in the Near East

Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee

(Fourth Committee)

Rapporteur: Mr. Damien Cole (Ireland)

I. Introduction

1. At its 2nd plenary meeting, on 19 September 2003, the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the General Committee, decided to include in the agenda of its fifty-eighth session the item entitled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” and to allocate it to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).

2. The Fourth Committee held a general debate on the item at its 17th and 18th meetings, on 30 October and 3 November 2003, and took action on the item at its 24th meeting, on 14 November (see A/C.4/58/SR.17, 18 and 24).

3. For its consideration of the item, the Committee had before it the following documents:

(a) Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003;

Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13 and corrigendum and addendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1 and Add.1);

(b) Report of the Secretary-General submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 57/119 (A/58/119);

(c) Report of the Secretary-General submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 57/120 (A/58/339);

(d) Report of the Secretary-General submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 57/122 (A/58/206);

(e) Report of the Secretary-General submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 57/123 (A/58/205);

(f) Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the fifty-seventh report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, in accordance with paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 512 (VI) and paragraph 2 of Assembly resolution 57/117 (A/58/256);

(g) Report of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (A/58/450);

(h) Letter dated 6 November 2003 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (A/58/557).

4. At its 17th meeting, on 30 October, the Committee heard a statement by the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), who introduced his report (see A/C.4/58/SR.17).

5. At the same meeting, the representative of Norway, in his capacity as Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA, introduced the report of the Working Group (see A/C.4/58/SR.17).

6. Also at the same meeting, the representative of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations made a statement (see A/C.4/58/SR.17).

7. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Israel made a statement (see A/C.4/58/SR.24).

II. Consideration of proposals

8. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Egypt, on behalf of the Arab States, Malaysia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, proposed to change the order of consideration of the draft resolutions before the Committee, in accordance with rule 131 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Committee then decided to consider draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1 after all other draft resolutions submitted under item 83 had been considered.

A. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.10

9. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Comoros, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yemen and Palestine, introduced a draft resolution entitled “Assistance to Palestine refugees” (A/C.4/58/L.10).

10. At the same meeting, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.10 by a recorded vote of 159 to 1, with 8 abstentions (see para. 32, draft resolution I). The voting was as follows:

In favour:

Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel.

Abstaining:

Cameroon, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, United States of America.

11. At the same meeting, statements in explanation of vote were made by the representatives of Thailand and Peru (see A/C.4/58/SR.24).

B. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.11

12. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of the Netherlands, on behalf of Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, the Comoros, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Sudan, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yemen and Palestine, introduced a draft resolution entitled “Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” (A/C.4/58/L.11), which read:

“The General Assembly,

“Recalling its resolutions 2656 (XXV) of 7 December 1970, 2728 (XXV) of 15 December 1970, 2971 (XXVI) of 6 December 1971, 57/118 of 11 December 2002 and the previous resolutions on this question,

“Recalling also its decision 36/462 of 16 March 1982, by which it took note of the special report of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,

“Having considered the report of the Working Group,

“Taking into account the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003,

“Expressing support for the expansion of the microfinance and microenterprise programme, as well as the various major rehousing and infrastructure projects,

“Deeply concerned about the continuing financial situation of the Agency, which has affected and affects the continuation of provision of necessary Agency services to Palestine refugees, including the emergency-related and humanitarian and development programmes,

“Emphasizing the continuing need for extraordinary efforts in order to maintain, at least at the current level, the activities of the Agency, as well as to enable the Agency to carry out essential construction and rehabilitation,

“1. Commends the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for its efforts to assist in ensuring the financial security of the Agency;

“2. Takes note with approval of the report of the Working Group;

“3. Welcomes further progress in improving the unified budget structure for the biennium 2004-2005, which can contribute significantly to improved budgetary transparency and enhances the utility of the budget as a planning, managerial and fund-raising tool;

“4. Requests the Working Group to continue its efforts, in cooperation with the Secretary-General and the Commissioner-General, to find a solution to the financial situation of the Agency;

“5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the necessary services and assistance to the Working Group for the conduct of its work.”

13. At the same meeting, the representative of the Netherlands, on behalf of the sponsors, withdrew draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.11.

C. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.12

14. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine, introduced a draft resolution entitled “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities” (A/C.4/58/L.12).

15. At the same meeting, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.12 by a recorded vote of 156 to 5, with 6 abstentions (see para. 32, draft resolution II). The voting was as follows:

In favour:

Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

D. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.13

16. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine, introduced a draft resolution entitled “Offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for Palestine refugees” (A/C.4/58/L.13), which read:

“The General Assembly,

“Recalling its resolution 212 (III) of 19 November 1948 on assistance to Palestine refugees,

“Recalling also its resolution 35/13 B of 3 November 1980 and all subsequent relevant resolutions, including resolution 57/120 of 11 December 2002,

“Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,

“Having considered also the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003,

“Expressing its appreciation to all Governments, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations that responded favourably to its resolutions on this question,

“1. Reiterates its previous appeals to all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships to Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East;

“2. Appeals to all States, specialized agencies and other international bodies to extend assistance for higher education to Palestine refugee students and to continue to support vocational training centres for Palestine refugees, and requests the Agency to act as the recipient of and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships;

“3. Appeals to all States, specialized agencies and the United Nations University to contribute generously to the Palestinian universities in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including, in due course, the proposed University of Jerusalem ‘Al-Quds’ for Palestine refugees;

“4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.”

17. At the same meeting, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of the sponsors, withdrew draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.13.

E. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1

18. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine, introduced a draft resolution entitled “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” (A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1) and orally revised it by inserting the words “as reflected in the Agency’s programme budget for the biennium 2004-2005” at the end of operative paragraph 4.

19. At the same meeting, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1, as orally revised, by a recorded vote of 150 to 5, with 11 abstentions (see para. 32, draft resolution III). The voting was as follows:

In favour:

Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Cameroon, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nauru, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

20. At the same meeting, the representative of Peru made a statement in explanation of vote (see A/C.4/58/SR.24).

F. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.15

21. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, the Comoros, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Sudan, Sweden, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yemen and Palestine, introduced a draft resolution entitled “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues” (A/C.4/58/L.15).

22. At the same meeting, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.15 by a recorded vote of 153 to 5, with 9 abstentions (see para. 32, draft resolution IV). The voting was as follows:

In favour:

Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Cameroon, Fiji, Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

23. At the same meeting, the representative of Peru  made a statement in explanation of vote (see A/C.4/58/SR.24).

G. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.16

24. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine, introduced a draft resolution, entitled “University of Jerusalem ‘Al-Quds’ for Palestine refugees” (A/C.4/58/L.16), which read:

“The General Assembly,

“Recalling its resolution 36/146 G of 16 December 1981 and all its subsequent resolutions on the issue, including resolution 57/123 of 11 December 2002,

“Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,

“Having also considered the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003,

“1. Emphasizes the need for strengthening the educational system in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 5 June 1967, including Jerusalem, and specifically the need for the establishment of the proposed university;

“2. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary measures for establishing the University of Jerusalem ‘Al-Quds’, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 35/13 B of 3 November 1980, giving due consideration to the recommendations consistent with the provisions of that resolution;

“3. Calls once again upon Israel, the occupying Power, to cooperate in the implementation of the present resolution and to remove the hindrances that it has put in the way of establishing the University of Jerusalem ‘Al-Quds’;

“4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution.”

25. At the same meeting, the representative of Indonesia, on behalf of the sponsors, withdrew draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.16.

H. Draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev 1

26. On 7 November, the Committee had before it a draft resolution entitled “Assistance to Palestine refugees and support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” (A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1), submitted by Australia, Canada, Dominica, Palau, Uganda and the United States of America. Subsequently, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland joined in sponsoring the draft resolution.

27. On 11 November, the Committee had before it amendments (A/C.4/58/L.22) to the draft resolution, submitted by Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine, by which:

(a) In the first preambular paragraph, the words “194 (III) of 11 December 1948” would be inserted after the word “resolutions”;

(b) In the sixth preambular paragraph, the words “and regretting the death of six Agency staff members during the reporting period” would be deleted;

(c) After the sixth preambular paragraph, a new preambular paragraph would be inserted reading:

“Deploring the killing of six Agency staff members during the reporting period”;

(d) The eighth preambular paragraph   For the text, see para. 29 (d) below. would be deleted;

(e) After operative paragraph 3, the following paragraphs would be inserted:

“4. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply fully with the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, which is applicable to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem;

“5. Also calls upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations with regard to the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of the facilities of the Agency in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”;

(f) In operative paragraph 10, the words “and calls upon the Agency to continue to work on improving budget and administrative management for delivery of better service” would be deleted;

(g) Operative paragraph 13 would be deleted.

28. At the 24th meeting, on 14 November, the representative of Jordan, on behalf of the sponsors, withdrew the amendments (A/C.4/58/L.22) to draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1.

29. At the same meeting, the representative of the United States of America orally revised the draft resolution as follows:

(a) In the second preambular paragraph, the words “and its resolutions 57/117, 57/118, 57/119, 57/120, 57/121, 57/122 and 57/123 of 11 December 2002” were deleted;

(b) In the sixth preambular paragraph, the words “and regretting the death of six Agency staff members during the reporting period” were deleted;

(c) After the sixth preambular paragraph, a new preambular paragraph was inserted, reading:

“Regretting the death of six Agency staff members during the reporting period”;

(d) The eighth preambular paragraph (now the ninth) which read:

“Stressing the necessity for compliance with Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and compliance with applicable obligations under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, as well as the need for respect of international humanitarian law”,

was replaced by the following:

“Stressing the necessity for compliance with Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations with regard to the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities, including throughout the occupied territories”;

(e) After the eighth preambular paragraph (now the ninth), two new preambular paragraphs were inserted, reading:

“Stressing also the need for respect of international humanitarian law,

“Emphasizing the obligations of all parties in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949”;

(f) In operative paragraph 10, the words “and calls upon the Agency to continue to work on improving budget and administrative management for delivery of better service” were deleted;

(g) Operative paragraph 13, which read:

“13. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution”,

was deleted.

30. Also at the 24th meeting, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9 Rev.1, as orally revised, by a recorded vote of 109 to none, with 54 abstentions (see para. 32, draft resolution V). The voting was as follows: The delegation of Malawi subsequently indicated that it had intended to vote in favour and the delegation of Myanmar indicated that it had intended to abstain.

In favour:

Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela.

Against:

None.

Abstaining:

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

31. At the same meeting, the representative of Jordan, on behalf of the Arab States, made a statement in explanation of vote (see A/C.4/58/SR.24).

III. Recommendations of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

32. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following draft resolutions:

Draft resolution I

Assistance to Palestine refugees

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948 and all its subsequent resolutions on the question, including resolution 57/117 of 11 December 2002,

Recalling also its resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, by which, inter alia, it established the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,

Recalling further relevant Security Council resolutions,

Aware of the fact that the Palestine refugees have, for more than five decades, lost their homes, lands and means of livelihood,

Affirming the imperative of resolving the problem of the Palestine refugees for the achievement of justice and for the achievement of lasting peace in the region,

Acknowledging the essential role that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has played for more than fifty-three years since its establishment in ameliorating the plight of the Palestine refugees in the fields of education, health and relief and social services,

Taking note of the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13 and corrigendum and addendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1 and Add.1).

Aware of the continuing needs of Palestine refugees throughout all the fields of operation, namely Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

Expressing grave concern at the especially difficult situation of the Palestine refugees under occupation, including with regard to their safety, well-being and living conditions, and the continuous deterioration of those conditions during the recent period,

Noting the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements on 13 September 1993 by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization   A/48/486-S/26560, annex. and the subsequent implementation agreements,

Aware that the Multilateral Working Group on Refugees of the Middle East peace process has an important role to play in the peace process,

1. Notes with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of its resolution 194 (III), has not yet been effected and that, therefore, the situation of the Palestine refugees continues to be a matter of concern;

2. Also notes with regret that the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine has been unable to find a means of achieving progress in the implementation of paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III), and requests the Commission to exert continued efforts towards the implementation of that paragraph and to report to the Assembly as appropriate, but no later than 1 September 2004;

3. Affirms the necessity for the continuation of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the importance of its operation and services for the well-being of the Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region, pending the resolution of the question of the Palestine refugees;

4. Calls upon all donors to continue to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency, including those mentioned in recent emergency appeals.

Draft resolution II

Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 2252 (ES-V) of 4 July 1967, 2341 B (XXII) of 19 December 1967 and all subsequent related resolutions,

Recalling also Security Council resolutions 237 (1967) of 14 June 1967 and 259 (1968) of 27 September 1968,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General submitted in pursuance of its resolution 57/119 of 11 December 2002,   A/58/119. 

Taking note also of the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003,   Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13 and corrigendum and addendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1 and Add.1).

Concerned about the continuing human suffering resulting from the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities,

Taking note of the relevant provisions of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements of 1993   A/48/486-S/26560, annex. with regard to the modalities for the admission of persons displaced in 1967, and concerned that the process agreed upon has not yet been effected,

1. Reaffirms the right of all persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967;

2. Expresses deep concern that the mechanism agreed upon by the parties in article XII of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements of 19933 on the return of displaced persons has not been effected, and stresses the necessity for an accelerated return of displaced persons;

3. Endorses, in the meanwhile, the efforts of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to continue to provide humanitarian assistance, as far as practicable, on an emergency basis and as a temporary measure, to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious need of continuing assistance as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities;

4. Strongly appeals to all Governments and to organizations and individuals to contribute generously to the Agency and to the other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned for the above-mentioned purposes;

5. Requests the Secretary-General, after consulting with the Commissioner-General, to report to the General Assembly before its fifty-ninth session on the progress made with regard to the implementation of the present resolution.

Draft resolution III

Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, 212 (III) of 19 November 1948, 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 and all subsequent related resolutions, including resolution 57/121 of 11 December 2002,

Recalling also the relevant Security Council resolutions,

Having considered the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003,   Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13 and corrigendum and addendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1 and Add.1).  

Taking note of the letter dated 25 September 2003 from the Chairperson of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East addressed to the Commissioner-General,   Ibid., Supplement No. 13 and corrigendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1), p. viii.

Deeply concerned about the continuing critical financial situation of the Agency and its effect on the continuing provision of necessary Agency services to the Palestine refugees, including its emergency-related programmes and its development programmes,

Recalling Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations,   Resolution 22 A (I). 

Affirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,   United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973. to the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem,

Aware of the continuing needs of Palestine refugees throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in the other fields of operation, namely, in Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic,

Also aware of the valuable work done by the refugee affairs officers of the Agency in providing protection to the Palestinian people, in particular Palestine refugees,

Gravely concerned about the increased suffering of the Palestine refugees, including the loss of life, injury and destruction and damage to their shelters and properties, during the ongoing crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

Expressing grave concern about the continuing impact of the events that occurred in the Jenin refugee camp in April 2002, including the loss of life, injury, destruction and displacement inflicted on many of its civilian inhabitants,

Aware of the extraordinary efforts being undertaken by the Agency for the repair and rebuilding of thousands of destroyed and damaged refugee shelters,

Gravely concerned about the safety of the Agency’s staff and about the damage caused to facilities of the Agency as a result of Israeli military operations during the reporting period,

Deploring the killing of six Agency staff members by the Israeli occupying forces during the reporting period,

Expressing deep concern about the continuing policies of closure and severe restrictions, including the curfews, that have been imposed on the movement of persons and goods throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and which have had a grave impact on the socio-economic situation of the Palestine refugees and have greatly contributed to the dire humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people,

Deeply concerned about the continuing restrictions on the freedom of movement of the Agency staff, vehicles and goods, including the harassment of personnel, which adversely affect the ability of the Agency to provide its services, including its education, health and relief and social services,

Recalling the signing, on 13 September 1993, of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization   A/48/486-S/26560, annex. and the subsequent implementation agreements,

Aware of the agreement between the Agency and the Government of Israel,

Aware also of the establishment of a working relationship between the Advisory Commission of the Agency and the Palestine Liberation Organization in accordance with General Assembly decision 48/417 of 10 December 1993,

Taking note of the agreement reached on 24 June 1994, embodied in an exchange of letters between the Agency and the Palestine Liberation Organization,   Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/49/13), annex I.

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, as well as to all of the staff of the Agency, for their tireless efforts and valuable work, particularly in the light of the increasingly difficult conditions throughout the past year;

2. Also expresses its appreciation to the Advisory Commission of the Agency, and requests it to continue its efforts and to keep the General Assembly informed of its activities, including the full implementation of decision 48/417;

3. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, A/58/450. for its efforts to assist in ensuring the financial security of the Agency, and requests the Secretary-General to provide the necessary services and assistance to the Working Group for the conduct of its work;

4. Commends the continuing efforts of the Commissioner-General to increase the budgetary transparency and efficiency of the Agency, as reflected in the Agency’s programme budget for the biennium 2004-2005;   Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13, addendum (A/58/13/Add.1).

5. Acknowledges the support of the host Governments for the Agency in the discharge of its duties;

6. Takes note of the functioning of the headquarters of the Agency in Gaza City on the basis of the Headquarters Agreement between the Agency and the Palestinian Authority;

7. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply fully with the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949;4

8. Also calls upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations3 with regard to the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem;

9. Urges the Government of Israel to compensate the Agency for damage to its property and facilities resulting from actions by the Israeli side, particularly during the reporting period;

10. Calls upon Israel particularly to cease obstructing the movement of the personnel, vehicles and supplies of the Agency and to cease the levying of extra fees and charges, which have a detrimental effect on the Agency’s operations;

11. Requests the Commissioner-General to proceed with the issuance of identification cards for Palestine refugees and their descendants in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

12. Affirms that the functioning of the Agency remains essential in all fields of operation;

13. Notes the success of the Agency’s microfinance and microenterprise programme, and calls upon the Agency, in close cooperation with the relevant agencies, to continue to contribute towards the development of the economic and social stability of the Palestine refugees;

14. Reiterates its request to the Commissioner-General to proceed with the modernization of the archives of the Agency through the Palestine Refugee Records Project, and to indicate progress in his report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session;

15. Reiterates its previous appeals to all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships for higher education to Palestine refugees in addition to their contributions to the regular budget of the Agency and to contribute towards the establishment of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees, and requests the Agency to act as the recipient and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships;

16. Urges all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and to increase their contributions to the Agency so as to ease the ongoing financial constraints, exacerbated by the current humanitarian situation on the ground, and to support the Agency’s valuable work in assistance to the Palestine refugees.

Draft resolution IV

Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, 36/146 C of 16 December 1981 and all its subsequent resolutions on the question,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General submitted in pursuance of its resolution 57/122 of 11 December 2002,   A/58/206. 

Taking note also of the report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine for the period from 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2003,   A/58/256, annex. 

Recalling that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights   Resolution 217 A (III). and the principles of international law uphold the principle that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his or her property,

Recalling in particular its resolution 394 (V) of 14 December 1950, in which it directed the Conciliation Commission, in consultation with the parties concerned, to prescribe measures for the protection of the rights, property and interests of the Palestine refugees,

Noting the completion of the programme of identification and evaluation of Arab property, as announced by the Conciliation Commission in its twenty-second progress report,   Official Records of the General Assembly, Nineteenth Session, Annexes, Annex No. 11, document A/5700. and the fact that the Land Office had a schedule of Arab owners and file of documents defining the location, area and other particulars of Arab property,

Expressing its appreciation for the work done to preserve and modernize the existing records, including the land records, of the Conciliation Commission and the importance of such records for a just resolution of the plight of the Palestine refugees in conformity with General Assembly resolution 194 (III),

Recalling that, in the framework of the Middle East peace process, the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Government of Israel agreed, in the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements of 13 September 1993,   A/48/486-S/26560, annex. to commence negotiations on permanent status issues, including the important issue of the refugees,

1. Reaffirms that the Palestine refugees are entitled to their property and to the income derived therefrom, in conformity with the principles of equity and justice;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps, in consultation with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, for the protection of Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel;

3. Calls once again upon Israel to render all facilities and assistance to the Secretary-General in the implementation of the present resolution;

4. Calls upon all the parties concerned to provide the Secretary-General with any pertinent information in their possession concerning Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel that would assist him in the implementation of the present resolution;

5. Urges the Palestinian and Israeli sides, as agreed between them, to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues in the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.

Draft resolution V

Assistance to Palestine refugees and support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 212 (III) of 19 November 1948, on assistance to Palestine refugees, and 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, by which, inter alia, it established the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,

Recalling also all its subsequent resolutions on the question, including resolution 56/52 of 10 December 2001,

Recalling further relevant Security Council resolutions,

Acknowledging the essential role that the Agency has played for more than fifty years since its establishment in ameliorating the plight of the Palestine refugees in the fields of education, health and relief and social services,

Aware of the continuing needs of Palestine refugees throughout all the fields of operation, namely the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic,

Gravely concerned about the increased suffering of the Palestine refugees, including the loss of life, injury and destruction and damage to refugee shelters and properties, as well as the safety of the staff and the damage to the facilities of the Agency,

Regretting the death of six Agency staff members during the reporting period,

Deeply concerned about the continuing restrictions on the freedom of movement of the Agency’s staff, vehicles and goods, which adversely affect the ability of the Agency to provide its services, including its educational, health and relief and social services,

Stressing the necessity for compliance with Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations   Resolution 22 A (I). with regard to the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities, including throughout the occupied territories,

Stressing also the need for respect of international humanitarian law,

Emphasizing the obligations of all parties in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.

Having considered the report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13 and corrigendum and addendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1 and Add.1). the report of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, A/58/450. the letter dated 25 September 2003 from the Chairperson of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East addressed to the Commissioner-General, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 13 and corrigendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1), p. viii. and the report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine for the period from 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2003, A/58/256, annex.

Deeply concerned about the continuing financial situation of the Agency, which has affected and affects the continuing provision of necessary Agency services to Palestine refugees, including the emergency-related and humanitarian programmes,

1. Affirms the necessity for the continuation of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the importance of its operation and services for the well-being of the Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region, pending the resolution of the question of the Palestine refugees;

2. Calls upon all States to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency, including those mentioned in recent emergency appeals, and to support the Agency’s valuable work in providing assistance to the Palestine refugees;

3. Takes note with approval of the report of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,4 for its efforts to assist in ensuring the financial security of the Agency, and requests the Secretary-General to provide the necessary services and assistance to the Working Group for the conduct of its work;

4. Endorses the efforts of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to continue to provide humanitarian assistance, as far as practicable, on an emergency basis and as a temporary measure, to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious need of continuing assistance as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities;

5. Strongly appeals to all Governments and to organizations and individuals to contribute generously to the Agency and to the other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned for the above-mentioned purposes;

6. Reiterates its previous appeals to all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships to Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to the regular budget of the Agency;

7. Appeals to all States, specialized agencies and other international bodies to extend assistance for higher education to Palestine refugee students and to contribute towards the establishment of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees, and requests the Agency to act as the recipient and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships;

8. Expresses its appreciation to the Commissioner-General of the Agency, as well as to all of the staff of the Agency, for their tireless efforts and valuable work, particularly in the light of the increasingly difficult conditions throughout the past year;

9. Also expresses its appreciation to the Advisory Commission of the Agency, and requests it to continue its efforts and to keep the General Assembly informed of its activities, including the full implementation of Assembly decision 48/417 of 10 December 1993;

10. Commends the efforts of the Commissioner-General to increase the budgetary transparency and efficiency of the Agency, as well as the support of the host Governments for the Agency in the discharge of its duties;

11. Calls upon all relevant parties to take effective measures to ensure the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities;

12. Notes the success of the Agency’s microfinance and enterprise programmes, and calls upon the Agency, in close cooperation with the relevant agencies, to continue to contribute towards the development of the economic and social stability of the Palestine refugees.