GA draft resolution (A/RES/394); Formation of Compensation Ctte. – UNCCP 196th meeting (New York) – Summary record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIXTH MEETING

held in New York on 24 November 1950 at 11 a.m.

Exchange of views on the draft resolution sponsored by the delegations of France, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States; memorandum prepared by the Secretariat (continued)

The CHAIRMAN stated that, although it appeared that some further changes were being made in the draft resolution„ it was now hoped. that the sponsoring delegations would decide on the text which was to be presented to the Ad hoc Political Committee without further discussions with other delegations.

Continuing the discussion of the third paragraph of the Secretariat memorandum (see SR/195), the Chairman suggested that the Commission should request from the proposed committee, in addition to the plan which was called for by the draft resolution for the implementation of the objectives of paragraph 11 of the 11 December resolution, a full report an its work and on its negotiations with the authorities concerned.

Referring to the last point of the Secretariat memorandum, Mr. PALMER (United States) said that it was an obvious task for the Commission “to continue its consultations with the parties concerned regarding measures for the protection of the rights property, and interests of the refugees”. A reaffirmation of that task by the Assembly would, however, help the Commission e in its approach to the parties.

The CHAIRMAN suggested that perhaps the new committee might undertake those negotiations, on the instructions of the Commission.

The Chairman stated that the points covered by the Secretariat memorandum could be reviewed by the Commission in the light of the resolution as finally adopted.

Preliminary survey of future plans of the Commission

The PRINCIPAL SECRETARY said that it would be helpful from en administrative point of view if the Commission could establish an approximate programme for its work after the resumption of its meetings in January.

The CHAIRMAN stated that the Commission wished to reunite after the recess on 15 January and that arrangements should, if possible, be made for the Commission to meet with the Director and the Advisory Commission of UNRWA in Beirut on that date.

The Principal Secretary was requested to inform General Kennedy unofficially that the Commission wished to meet with UNRWA on 15 January in Beirut; after the adoption of the resolution the late the date could be formally confirmed.

MR. de BOISANGER (France) suggested that the members of the Commission should arrange to reach Beirut on 14 January, to allow time for that Commission to hold a meeting before its first consultation with UNRWA.

In reply to a question from Mr. de BOISANGER, the PRINCIPAL SECRETARY stated that was planned that the Commission’s Secretariat would arrive in Jerusalem about 9 January.

The Commission agreed that it would be desirable for the Committee of Experts on Compensation to prepare a preliminary report for the Commission’s consideration at its first meeting end expressed the hope that the Committee could start work early enough to enable it to prepare such a report by 15 January.

The CHAIRMAN declared that after holding its consultations with UNRWA and studying the preliminary suggestion of the Committee on Compensation, the Commission would return to its headquarters in Government House, Jerusalem, and would then be in a better position to establish its subsequent programme of work.

Mr. PALMER (United States) suggested that when in Jerusalem the Commission should hold a formal meeting about once a week. This arrangement would give the individual members the opportunity ell having informal discussions in the various capitals. He felt that until a basis had been established for formal discussions between the Commission and the Governments concerned, there was no advantage to be gained from an official round of visits by the Commission as a whole.

Mr. de BOISANGER (France) said that when the Commission was in Jerusalem it would be possible to decide what contacts with Governments would be useful. He agreed with Mr. Palmer that in the beginning individual visits would probably be indicated. With regard to Iraq, however, he suggested that in the event of a visit to Baghdad being considered useful, the Commission might go as a body on that occasion, without creating a precedent for visits to the capitals concerned except Baghdad.

If a resolution in similar terms to the draft now before the Commission were adopted by the Assembly, Mr. de BOISANGER (France) and the CHAIRMAN felt that the Commission might devote its efforts in the first place towards establishing a basis of work for its committees dealing with refugees and compensation. After that had been done the Commission could proceed to carry out its principal task of calling upon the Governments concerned to engage in direct negotiations.

The CHAIRMAN stressed the necessity for the Commission on the resumption of its meetings in the Middle East, to give earnest consideration to the best way of approaching the Governments concerned in the matter of direct negotiations. Informal contacts by the members of the Commission would furnish useful indications in that respect. The Commission would have a directive from the Assembly to call upon the Governments to undertake such negotiations, and it must make every effort to ensure that the response to its call would be favourable. The Chairman wished to make a suggestion regarding the rotation of the chairmanship of the Commission. He felt that it might be preferable for the Commission to adopt the normal practice of commissions and establish a fixed term for the Chairman to remain in office. His proposal would be that the chairmanship should change automatically, say every three months.

Mr. de BOISANGER (France) and Mr. PALMER (United States) expressed the opinion that the procedure adopted by the Commission in the past had worked in a very satisfactory manner. The principle of that procedure had been that the Commission should have the same Chairman throughout each stage of its work. They felt that in a Commission composed of only three members there would be no advantage in having rigid rules, and experience had shown that it was preferable to have an adaptable term of chairmanship.

After discussion, it was decided that the Chairman should in principle remain in office for two months, but that, by mutual agreement of all the members of  the Commission, the term could be shortened or lengthened if the Commission’s work made it desirable.

Formation of Committee of Experts on Compensation

The PRINCIPAL SECRETARY informed the Commission that the necessary administrative action had been taken to conform with the Commission’s decision to conform with the Commission’s decision concerning Mr. Servoise.

The Bureau of Personnel was discussing with Mr. Sheringham the terms of his appointment, and as soon as a decision had been reached it was hoped that the Committee could start work.

The PRINCIPAL SECRETARY thought that, after having concluded any necessity discussion at United Nations headquarters; the two members of the Committee who were in New York could proceed to Geneva, where Mr. Servoise would join them In that way he hoped that the Committee would be able to produce a preliminary report by 15 January.

The meeting rose at 12.20 p.m.