Blocked accounts, UNWRA-Commission cooperation – UNCCP 309th meeting (New York) – Summary record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 309TH  MEETING (CLOSED)

Held at Headquarters, New York,

on Tuesday, 16 February 1954, at 3.30 p.m.

CONTENTS

1. Adoption of the agenda.

2. The question of blocked accounts.

3. Other business.

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The agenda was adopted.

2. QUESTION OF BLOCKED ACCOUNTS

The Commission agreed to proceed with a démarche with the Government of Israel regarding a final release of blocked Arab accounts. After a brief discussion the text of a statement by the Chairman was approved, with certain modifications. It was further agreed to arrange a meeting with the representative of Israel for the following day, Wednesday, 17 February 1954, at 3.00 p.m. and to instruct the Commission’s Liaison Representative in Jerusalem to transmit the statement to the Israel Foreign Ministry.

Mr. BARCO (United States of America) observed that any further information from the Liaison Representative regarding the attitude of the Jordan Government toward a final release would be helpful.

The CHAIRMAN proposed that a reply be sent to the letter of the United Kingdom delegation of 28 January 1954, informing them of the Commission’s proposed action and transmitting the text of the Chairman’s statement.

It was so agreed.

3. OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. CHAI (Acting Principal Secretary) drew the Commission’s attention to a reply to its letter which had been received from Mr. Carver. In connexion with the question of over-all co-operation between the Commission and UNRWA, Mr. Chai enquired (a) if the Commission had any observations with regard to Mr. Carver’s tentative ideas as reported by Mr. Lades; (b) whether it had any objections to authorizing Mr. Lades to accompany Mr. Carver on his forthcoming trip to Israel; and (c) what its views were as to whether Miss Flynn, UNRWA Liaison Officer, should be invited to attend the Commission’s meetings.

Mr. BARCO (United States of America) thought that with regard to over-all co-operation there was not much to add to the Commission’s previous agreement in principle with the idea of full co-operation in the field between the two bodies. There still remained the question of when and how any mutual action would be carried out. He felt it to be most desirable to have the Liaison Officer accompany Mr. Carver on his visit to Israel, as an observer and a representative of the Commission. He also thought it would be useful to invite Miss Flynn to attend the Commission’s meetings whenever the subject matter would be of interest to her and the Relief and Works Agency.

It was so agreed.

The meeting rose at 4.10 p.m.