Commission’s 13th Progress Report to SG, Valuation & compensation of refugees’ property – UNCCP 307th meeting (New York) – Summary record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 307TH MEETING (Closed)

Held at Headquarters, New York,

on Thursday, 17 December 1953, at 2.30 p.m.

CONTENTS

1. Adoption of the agenda.

2. Thirteenth Progress Report to the Secretary-General.

3. The question of identification and valuation of Arab property for the purpose of compensation: implementation of the decision taken on 15 October regarding the expansion of the Commission’s technical staff.

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

In view of the limited time at the Commission’s disposal and the lengthy draft agenda, it was agreed to adopt the Acting Principal Secretary’s suggestion to deal only with the questions of the Thirteenth Progress Report and the implementation of the Commission’s earlier decision to expand the technical staff engaged in the identification and valuation of Arab property.

2. THIRTEENTH PROGRESS REPORT TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

It was agreed that once certain minor revisions had been made to bring the text up to date, the report should be submitted to the Secretary-General as of 31 December, to cover the Commission’s activities during the calendar year 1953.

3. THE QUESTION OF IDENTIFICATION AND VALUATION OF ARAB PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPENSATION: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION TAKEN ON 15 OCTOBER REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF THE COMMISSIONER’S TECHNICAL STAFF

In connexion with the decision to send a liaison representative to Jerusalem, Mr. BARCO (United States of America) observed that in view of the recent resolutions adopted by the Security Council, intended inter alia to improve the working of the Truce Supervision Organization, the Commission now had an excellent opportunity to maintain closer relations with the Chief of Staff, in the light of the Security Council resolution of 11 August 1949. He thought that if the Commission was agreeable, the Liaison Representative should be sent to Jerusalem without delay, as soon as arrangements could be worked out with the Chief of Staff.

Mr. DERINSU (Turkey) welcomed this suggestion and thought that the views of the Chief of Staff should be sought as soon as possible.

The CHAIRMAN agreed and said that he would discuss the matter with the Chief of Staff and his Political Adviser.

It was agreed that the Liaison Representative should leave for Jerusalem as soon as possible. It was further agreed that his terms of reference — already submitted to the Commission — should be redrafted to include the new function of maintaining liaison with the Chief of Staff and to make it clear that, as a political officer, he should hold the ultimate responsibility for actions taken by himself. and by the Land Specialist.

4. OTHER BUSINESS

With regard to the question of compensation for foreign nationals with property in Israel, raised in several communications which the Commission had received, it was agreed that the Acting Principal Secretary should request the United Nations Legal Department to prepare an opinion on the whole problem.

Mr. CHAI (Acting Principal Secretary) informed the Commission of a request which had been made by Mr. Jejany of the Saudi Arabian Delegation, for certain internal, restricted documents of the Commission. He felt that there was no valid reason to lift the restriction on such -documents at. the present time

and suggested that Mr. Dejany be so informed.

It was so agreed.

The meeting rose at 3.10 p.m.