The Arab refugee problem will continue to exist for a whole generation, according to a top Administration official here.
William B. Macomber, Assistant Administrator for Near East and South East Asia in the Agency for International Development (AID), was extensively questioned on this subject by Congressman Leonard Farbstein during recent hearings before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Parts of the hearings were now released by the Committee.
Mr. Macomber was asked by Congressman Farbstein whether there is any possibility of envisaging a date when the refugees will be absorbed and aid to them will not be necessary. Mr. Macomber replied: “I think the problem will be with us for a generation.”
Later the top AID official indicated that the estimate of a whole generation’s time for solution of the refugee problem was based on the assumption that there will be no agreement on the solution. “It will be expensive and we should get an agreement,” he added.
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