U.S. Seeks to Modify Anti-Israel Resolution on Arab Refugee Problem

The United States today attempted to alter an anti-Israeli resolution dealing with the Arab refugee problem, being debated in the General Assembly’s Special Political Committee, and was promptly denounced by the most vitriolic spokesmen for the Arab bloc as an "advocate for Israel" trying "to defend Israel."

The American effort came in the form of amendments to a Moslem-sponsored resolution introduced before the committee yesterday, on behalf of the Arab bloc. The resolution would declare that there is a "need to safeguard" property allegedly held with Israel by the Arab refugees. The Moslem draft would also order the Palestine Conciliation Commission to report to the next General Assembly, next September, on its efforts to bring about "repatriation" of the Arab refugees to Israel territory, and to obtain compensation for the refugees from Israel.

Telling the committee that, in fact, no resolution on the refugee problem was needed at all, United States Deputy Permanent Representative Francis T. Plimpton declared that his amendments would place the entire Arab refugee problem in proper perspective. He proposed deletion of the clauses in the Moslem draft dealing with Arab refugee property, and moved that the article in the draft dealing with the PCC be changed so that it would say simply that the Commission should report to the United Nations by Oct. 15, 1961.

The resolution as introduced by Afghanistan, Malaya, Indonesia, Pakistan and Somalia, deals with the refugee problem in a "partial" manner, Mr. Plimpton held, is "controversial," and the entire matter should be left to the 16th session of the General Assembly, next fall. Mr. Plimpton reminded the committee that, in any event, the next Assembly mist review the entire Arab refugee problem, including all the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

Ahmad Shukairy, chairman of the Saudi Arabian delegation, who always delivers the sharpest attacks against Israel when the refugee problem is discussed, immediately opened an attack aimed primarily at the United States. Speaking for nearly two hours, the Arab delegate addressed Mr. Plimpton directly may times, lecturing the United States on its responsibility as a member of the United Nations to aid and protect "the Arab victims of Zionist aggression" in the Middle East.

Platon D. Morozov, of the USSR delegation, told Mr. Plimpton he could find no replies in the American’s speech to some of the "pointed questions asked by the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia, which demand answers." Mr. Morozov said his delegation was interested in the property rights of the Arab refugees, and scored Israel for "denying" such rights.

Replying, Mr. Plimpton said America "welcomes the adherence of the Soviet Union to the principle of private ownership of private property." Then, alluding to the fact that the United States has spent $200,000,000 for relief of the Arab refugees, Mr. Plimpton added: "The United States would welcome a contribution for this purpose by the Soviet Union which has so far not found it possible to contribute anything for this purpose."

C.T. Crowe, of the British delegation, said he was in agreement with the amendments introduced by the United States and would vote for those amendments.