Work of UNRWA – Report of the Special Political Committee (4th Cttee)to GA, draft resolutions

DOCUMENT A/6115*

Report of the Special Political Committee

[Original text: English]

[23 November 1965]

1. In accordance with the request made in paragraph 21 of resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 and in paragraph 8 of resolution 1315 (XIII) of 12 December 1958, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) submitted to the General Assembly his reports for the years ending, respectively, 30 June 1964 (A/5813) and 30 June 1965 (A/6013).

2. At its 1336th plenary meeting on 24 September 1965, the General Assembly, acting on the recommendation of the General Committee, decided to include the reports of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA in its agenda and allocated the item to the Special Political Committee for consideration and report.

3. The Special Political Committee considered the question at its 432nd to 437th meetings and at its 439th to 459th meetings, from 11 October to 17 November 1965.

4. At the 432nd meeting, on 11 October, the Chair-man, with the consent of the Committee, invited the Commissioner-General of UNRWA to take a seat at the Committee table. At the same meeting, a statement was made by the Commissioner-General and, in accordance with the decision then taken by the Committee. the text of the statement was circulated (A/SPC/103). At the 436th meeting on 21 October, the Committee decided that a memorandum containing the observations of the Governments of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the United Arab Republic on the 1965 report of the Commissioner-General would be circulated as a Committee document (A/SPC/106).

5. At the 434th meeting, on 19 October, the Chairman drew the attention of the Committee to a letter dated 15 October 1965 (A/SPC/104) from the representatives of Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia. United Arab Republic and Yemen, requesting "… that the delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization, representing the Arab people of Palestine, the principal party to the Palestine question, be heard …" by the Committee during its deliberations on the item. After discussion at the same meeting and at the 435th meeting on 20 October, the Special Political Committee adopted a draft resolution submitted by Costa Rica and El Salvador (A/SPC/L.112/Rev.l) whereby the Committee, considering the request submitted in document A/SPC/104 by the representatives of the Arab States that the members of the delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization be heard during the Committee's deliberations on item 35, decided to authorize the persons constituting the said delegation to speak in the Committee and to make such statements as they might deem necessary, without such authorization implying recognition of that organization. In accordance with this decision, Mr. Tannous, one of the persons constituting the delegation made statements at the 437th meeting, on 22 October and at the 450th, 451st and 457th meetings, on 9, 10 and 16 November.

6. At the 436th meeting, on 21 October, the Chairman drew attention to a letter dated 18 October, from the Chairman of "The Palestine Arab Delegation" requesting that it be heard by the Committee during discussion of the item. It was decided that this letter should be circulated as a Committee document (A/SPC/105). At the 440th meeting, on 27 October, the Chairman, recalling a proposal to that effect made by the representative of Honduras at the 436th meeting announced that, in the absence of any objection, the request made in document A/SPC/105 would be acceded to by the Committee. In accordance with that decision, Mr. Al-Ghouri made a statement at the 442nd meeting, on 29 October, and Mr. Nakhleh made statements at the 446th, 456th and 457th meetings, on 4; 15 and 16 November.

7. At the 450th meeting, on 9 November, the representative of the United States introduced a draft resolution (A/SPC/L.113). Under this proposal, the General Assembly, inter alia, recalling various previous resolutions, noting the reports of the Commissioner-General, and noting with deep regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees as provided for in paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III) had not been effected, that no substantial progress had been made in the programme endorsed in paragraph 2 of resolution 513 (VI) for the re-integration of refugees either by repatriation or resettlement, and that, therefore, the situation of the refugees continued to be a matter of serious concern, would: first, express its thanks to the Commissioner-General and the staff of the Agency for their continued faithful efforts to provide essential services for the Palestine refugees and to the specialized agencies and private organizations for their valuable work in assisting the refugees; secondly, direct attention to the critical financial position of the Agency; thirdly, note with regret that contributions to the Agency thus far had not been sufficient to enable it to cover its essential budget requirements: fourthly, call upon all Governments as a matter of urgency to make the most generous effort possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency; fifthly, direct the Commissioner-General to take such measures, including rectification of the relief rolls, a problem which had been and continued to be, of major concern to the Assembly, to assure the most equitable distribution of relief based on need, and would invite the full cooperation of the Governments concerned: sixthly, call upon the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine to continue its efforts for the implementation of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III); and seventhly, decide to extend the mandate of the Agency until 30 June 1969.

8. On 11 November, Pakistan and Somalia submitted amendments (A/SPC/L.114) to the United States draft resolution (A/SPC/L.113).  These amendments called for the insertion, after the second paragraph of the preamble, of four new preambular paragraphs under which the General Assembly, inter alia, would express conviction that no just solution of refugee problem could be achieved without full respect of their rights which had been reaffirmed every ear since 1948; consider that necessary action should be taken to ensure the full restoration of those rights; express deep concern with the situation of the refugees, the continuation of which would have serious consequences; and note the statement in the commissioner-General's report that the longing of the refugees to return to their homes in conformity with paragraph 1.  A new operative paragraph 2 would be inserted after the new operative paragraph 1, whereby the Assembly would explore Israel's continued refusal to implement paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III) and urge it not to  destruct any further  such implementation.  Subsequent paragraphs would be renumbered accordingly.  Operative paragraph 5 of the United States draft, which would become operative paragraph 7, would be redrafted to the effect that the measures which the commissioner-General would be directed to take would be to assure, in co-operation with the Governments concerned, the most equitable distribution of relief based on need in accordance with the proposals contained in the report of the commissioner-General.  In operative paragraph 6 of the United States draft resolution, which would become paragraph 8 under the amendments, the conciliation Commission for Palestine would be called upon to intensify its efforts for the implementation of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III) and to report thereon to the General Assembly not later than 1 October 1966.  Finally, the amendments provided that the last operative paragraph specify that the Assembly decided, without prejudice to the right of the refugees to repatriation or compensation, to extend the mandate of the Agency until 30 June 1969.

9. On 12 November, Israel also submitted amendments (A/SPC/L.115) to the United States draft resolution (A/SPC/L.113). These amendments provided for deletion of the third preambular paragraph and the addition in its place of seven new preambular paragraphs under which the Assembly would, inter a!ia, note with deep regret that no substantial progress had been made in reaching an overall solution of the refugee problem; be encouraged by the progress to-wards economic independence of the refugees, as described in paragraphs 11 and 12 of the report of the Commissioner-General for the period 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964; recall that in paragraph 5 of resolution 194 (III) it had called upon the Governments concerned to seek agreement by negotiations with a view to the final settlement of all questions outstanding between them and that in paragraphs 3 and 4 of resolution 512 (VI) it had considered that the Governments concerned had the primary responsibility for settling such differences; recall that under both those resolutions the Conciliation Commission for Palestine remained available to the parties to assist them in reaching agreement by negotiation; take account of previous efforts of that Commission to assist the Governments concerned to reach a negotiated agreement on a solution of the refugee problem: consider that such a solution could best be promoted by negotiation and agreement between the Governments concerned: and regret all policies and statements of belligerency and hostility which had the effect of making such an agreed solution more difficult to attain. The Israel amendments also provided for the insertion of two new operative paragraphs after paragraph 5 of the United States draft, whereby the Assembly would deplore the continued refusal of the Arab Governments concerned to enter into negotiations for an agreed solution of the refugee problem; and renew its appeal to the Governments concerned to undertake direct negotiations, with the assistance of the Conciliation Commission if they so desired, with a view to their finding an agreed solution for the refugee problem. Operative paragraph 6 of the United States draft would be renumbered paragraph 8, and instead of referring to the implementation of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III) would refer to assisting the Governments concerned in finding such an agreed solution. Operative paragraph 7 of the United States draft would become paragraph 9.

10.  On 15 November, a draft resolution was submitted by Afghanistan and Malaysia (A/SPC/L.116), under which the Assembly, inter alia, considering that the Palestine Arab refugees were entitled to their property and to the income derived from their property in conformity with the principles of justice and equity, recalling its resolution 394 (V) of 14 December 1950, which had directed the Conciliation Commission, in consultation with the parties concerned, to prescribe measures for the protection of the rights, property and request the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps to have a custodian appointed to protect and administer Arab property, assets, and property rights in Israel and to receive income derived therefrom on behalf of the rightful owners; secondly, call upon the  Governments concerned to render all facilities and assistance to the Secretary-General to render the task and functioning of the custodian effective; and thirdly, request the custodian to report to the Assembly at its twenty-first session on fulfilment of his tasks.

11. At the 458th meeting on 17 November, the Chairman announced that the sponsors of the Pakistan and Somali amendments had withdrawn the amendment to insert a new operative paragraph 2.

12. At the same meeting, the Committee decided, without objection, that the two amendments contained in documents A/SPC/L.114 and A/SPC/L.115 would each be put to the vote as a whole.  The representative of Israel announced that this delegation would not insist on a vote on its amendments (A/SPC/L.115).  Also at the 458th meeting, the Secretary of the Committee read a statement by the Secretary-General, as provided for in rule 154, on the estimated expenditures involved in the draft resolution submitted by Afghanistan and Malaysia (A/SPC/L.116).

13. At the same meeting the Committee proceeded to vote on the amendments submitted by Pakistan and Somalia (A/SPC/L.114) to the United States draft resolution (A/SPC/113).  Apart from the amendment to add a new operative paragraph 2, which had been withdrawn by the sponsors, these amendments were adopted by a roll-call vote of 43 to 39, with 23 abstentions.  The voting was as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Republic, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Yugoslavia.

Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dahomey, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, France, Gabon, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Ivory Cost, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Panama, Peru, Sweden, Togo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Upper Volta, Uruguay.

Abstaining: Argentina, Burma, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ceylon, Chad, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Haiti, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela, Zambia.

14. At the 459th meeting, on 17 November, the Committee approved the United States draft resolution, as amended at the 458th meeting, by a roll-call vote of 47 to 31, with 17 abstentions.  The voting was as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, United Arab Republic, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Yugoslavia.

Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dahomey, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Israel, Ivory Cost, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Upper Volta.

Abstaining: Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Ceylon, Chile, China, Costa Rica, France, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Zambia.

15. At the same meeting the draft resolution submitted by Afghanistan and Malaysia (A/SPC/L.116) was rejected by a roll-call vote of 38 to 34, with 21 abstentions.  The voting was as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, Sudan Syria, Tunisia, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Republic, Yemen, Yugoslavia.

Against: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Central African Republic, chad, Chile, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Gabon, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory coast, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Paraguay, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Upper Volta, Uruguay.

Abstaining: Burma, Cameroon, Ceylon, China, Colombia, Dahomey, Ethiopia, Ghana, Greece, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Venezuela, Zambia.

Recommendation of the special Political committee

16. The Special Political Committee therefore recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following draft resolution:

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN EH NEAR EAST

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, 393 (V) and 394 (V) of 2 and 14 December 1950, 512 (VI) and 513 (VI) of 26 January 1952, 614 (VII) of 6 November 1952, 720 (VIII) of 27 November 1953, 818 (IX) of 4 December 1954, 916 (X) of 3 December 1955, 1018 (XI) of 28 February 1957, 1191 (XII) of 12 December 1957, 1315 (XIII) of 12 December 1958, 1456 (XIV) of 9 December 1959, 1604 (XV) of 21 April 1961, 1725 (XVI) of 20 December 1961, 1856 (XVII) of 20 December 1962, 1912 (XVIII) of 3 December 1963 and 2002 (XIX) of 10 February 1965,

Noting the annual reports of the commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, covering the periods from 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964 (A/5813) and from 1 July 1964 to 30 June 1965, (A/6013),

Convinced that no just solution of the problem of the refugees can be achieved without full respect of their rights, which have been reaffirmed every year since 1948,

Considering that necessary action should be taken to ensure the full restoration of those rights,

Deeply concerned with the situation of the Palestine refugees, the continuation of which will have serious consequences,

Noting the statement in the report of the commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees that the longing of the refugees to return to their homes in conformity with paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III) remains unabated,

1. Notes with deep regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees as provided for in paragraph II of General Assembly resolution 194 (III) has not been effected, that no substantial progress has been made in the programme endorsed in paragraph 2 of resolution 513 (VI) for the reintegration of refugees either by repatriation or resettlement and that,therefore, the situation of the refugees continues to be a matter of serious concern;

2. Expresses its thanks to the commissioner-General and the staff of the United Nations Relief and works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for their continued faithful efforts to provide essential services for the Palestine refugees, and to the specialized agencies and private organizations for their valuable work in assisting the refugees;

3. Directs attention to the critical financial position of the Untied Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and outlined in the commissioner-General's report;

4. Notes with regret that contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East have not thus far been sufficient to enable the Agency to cover its essential budget requirements;

5. Calls upon all Governments as a matter of urgency to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, particularly in the light of the budgetary deficit projected in the Commissioner-General's report;

6. Directs the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to take such measures, including rectification of the relief rolls, a problem which has been and continues to be of major concern to the General Assembly, to assure, in co-operation with the Governments concerned, the most equitable distribution of relief based on need in accordance with the proposals contained in the Commissioner-General's report;

7. Calls upon the United Nations conciliation Commissioner for Palestine to intensify its efforts for the implementation of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III) and to report thereon to the General Assembly, not later than 1 October 1966;

8. Decides to extend, without prejudice to the right of the refugees to repatriation or compensation, the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East until 30 June 1969.

ACTION TAKEN BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

At its 1395th plenary meeting on 15 December 1965, the General Assembly adopted the draft resolution submitted by the delegation of Nigeria (A/L.474).

For the final text, see resolution 2052 (XX) below:

At the same meeting the General Assembly decided not to vote on the draft resolution submitted by the Special Political Committee (A/6115, para. 16).

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly

2052 (XX). REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONER-GENERAL 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, 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, 393 (V) and 394 (V) of 2 and 14 December 1950, 512 (VI) and 513 (VI) of 26 January 1952, 614 (VII) of 6 November 1952, 720 (VIII) of 27 November 1953, 818 (IX) of 4 December 1954, 916 (X) of 3 December 1955, 1018 (XI) of 28 February 1957, 1191 (XII) of 12 December 1957, 1315 (XIII) of 12 December 1958, 1456 (XIV) of 9 December 1959, 1604 (XV) of 21 April 1961, 1725 (XVI) of 20 December 1961, 1856 (XVII) of 20 December 1962, 1912 (XVIII) of 3 December 1963 and 2002 (XIX) of 10 February 1965,

Noting the annual reports of the commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, covering the periods from 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964 (A/5813) and from 1 July 1964 to 30 June 1965, (A/6013),

2. Expresses its thanks to the commissioner-General and the staff of the United Nations Relief and works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for their continued faithful efforts to provide essential services for the Palestine refugees, and to the specialized agencies and private organizations for their valuable work in assisting the refugees;

3. Directs attention to the critical financial position of the Untied Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and outlined in the commissioner-General's report;

4. Notes with regret that contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East have not thus far been sufficient to enable the Agency to cover its essential budget requirements;

5. Calls upon all Governments as a matter of urgency to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, particularly in the light of the budgetary deficit projected in the Commissioner-General's report;

6. Directs the commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to take such measures, including rectification of the relief rolls a problem which has been and continues to be of major concern to the General Assembly as to assure, in co-operation with the Governments concerned, the most equitable distribution of relief based on need;

7. Calls upon the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine to intensify its efforts for  the implementation of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III) and to report thereon as appropriate and not later than 1 October 1966;

8. Decides to extend until 30 June 1969, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III), the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

139th plenary meeting,

15 December 1965.

CHECK LIST OF DOCUMENTS

NOTE: This check list includes the documents mentioned

during the consideration of agenda item 35 which are not

reproduced in the present fascicle.

* Incorporating document A/6115/Corr.l.