The Arab refugee problem “overshadows every major decision and action in the Middle East, and hangs as a cloud over the peace of the world,” the United Nations was warned today by John H. Davis, director of the United Nations Works and Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
Stating that he could not foresee “a satisfactory political solution” of the Arab-Israel disputes in the Middle East, Dr. Davis declared that, even if such a development were to come “relatively soon,” the international community would still be burdened with the responsibility of aiding the Arab refugees “for a decade or longer.” This is so, he maintained, “because of the difficult problem of helping refugees to become employable.” That problem, he held, “becomes progressively greater with each passing year.”
Dr. Davis made his statement before the General Assembly’s special political committee, after presenting to the group his annual report which he had made public six weeks ago. After making his statement, in which he asked money for major expansion of vocational training courses for young Arab refugees, the committee adjourned its refugee debate until tomorrow.
Michael S. Comay, chairman of Israel’s delegation, took a place at the committee meeting today as head of the delegation. He is scheduled to speak on the Arab refugee problem later in the debate.
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