Special Political Committee Slated to Take Up 3 Draft Resolutions on Refugees

The Special Political Committee was scheduled tomorrow to begin consideration of three draft resolutions on the Arab refugee question. The committee concluded general debate today on the report of Commissioner-General Laurence Michelmore of the UN relief and Works Agency for Arab Refugees (UNRWA). Sixty-one speakers presented statements during 18 meeting devoted to the refugee issue and the extension of UNRWA’s mandate, due to expire June 30, 1969. Mr. Michelmore told the Committee today that the Agency’s estimated income for 1969 was $5 million short of its budget. He said that if no new contributions were forthcoming by early 1969, UNRWA would have to contemplate reducing its activities. He announced that West Germany had contributed $1 million to construct shelters In emergency camps in Jordan.

Sweden presented a draft resolution today that would endorse efforts by Mr. Michelmore to continue to provide humanitarian assistance on an emergency basis, and as a temporary measure, to Arab refugees displaced by the June, 1967 Arab-Israel war. The draft would have the General Assembly appeal to all governments, organizations and individuals to contribute generously to UNRWA and to other governmental and non-governmental bodies concerned with the refugees. The committee was also considering an American resolution to extend the life of UNRWA to June 30, 1972. Also up for consideration was a draft resolution submitted by Iran, Pakistan, Senegal and Turkey–and opposed by Israel–which would have the General Assembly call on Israel to take immediate measures for the return of refugees who fled from occupied territories In the wake of the Six-Day War. The resolution would call upon the Assembly to express the conviction that the plight of newly displaced persons could be relieved by their speedy return to their former homes and refugee camps in Israel-held territory.