The long-awaited debate on the Arab refugee problem–expected to develop into a bitter and lengthy attack against Israel by the combined forces of the Arab League delegations here, with support from other Moslem members and the backing of the Communist representatives–is scheduled to get under way in the General Assembly’ Special Political Committee tomorrow.
The first dispute to face the committee will center around a request by all of the Arab delegates for the seating of a so-called “Palestine Arab Delegation” which claims to represent the viewpoint of the Palestine refugees. This 10-man group is composed of Arabs known to represent the point of views of the pro-Hitler, ex-Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, as well as the attitude of the most embittered anti-Israelis under the aegis of Egypt’s dictator, Gamal Abdel Nasser.
A number of important delegations, including the representatives of the United States, are expected to oppose seating the group as a “delegation,” and will argue that only some of the 10 members of the group be heard as individuals. Yordan Tchobanov, of Bulgaria, chairman of the committee, has announced that he has set aside 15 sessions for the committee’s debate of the refugee issue. The first speaker on the committee’s list is Ahmad Shukairy, of Saudi Arabia, who indicated that his opening address will last six hours.
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