The Palestine Conciliation Commission, which was ordered in a resolution adopted by the General Assembly last month to “intensify” its efforts toward possible solution of the Arab refugee problem, is considering the appointment of another special emissary to deal on the issue with the Arab governments and with Israel, it was learned here today.
The Commission’s plans were discussed here at a conference between Sadi Eldem, of Turkey, chairman of the PCC, and U Thant, the Acting Secretary-General. Turkey is one of the three members of the Commission, the others being the United States, represented by Ambassador Francis T.P. Plimpton, and France, represented by Louis Dauge. It was Mr. Thant’s first meeting, since he assumed his post, with any UN body dealing with the Arab-Israel conflicts.
Last August, the PCC had named Dr. Joseph E. Johnson, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as a special envoy to the Middle East, charging him with seeking some solutions to the refugee problem. However, Dr. Johnson’s mandate expired last month, after he submitted a report on his mission.
It is considered unlikely that the Commission would now reappoint Dr. Johnson–or that the Carnegie Endowment head would accept the job again if it were offered to him. However, it is known that the Commission is now seeking a prominent personality–who may not, necessarily, be an American–to continue the work begun by Dr. Johnson. An announcement concerning the PCC’s continued activities this year could be expected within the next two weeks, it was indicated today.
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