1968_4_arabisraelwar

186 / AMERICAN JEWISH YEAR BOOK, 1968
position that this resolution "must be implemented to the fullest extent
possible."
However, the United States continued to support Israel and oppose the
Arab states' demand to appoint a United Nations custodian "to protect and
administer" the property and other assets left in Israel by the Arab refugees
of the 1948 war and to receive income from such properties "on behalf of
the rightful owners." As in previous years, the United States delegation rejected
this as contrary to international law and outside the UN's authority
under the Charter. The United States representative, Ambassador Seymour
M. Finger, called the proposal a violation of Israel's sovereignty, and potentially
"a very substantial obstacle" to Ambassador Jarring's UN mission.
The custodian proposal was approved in the Special Political Committee
by a slim majority, primarily the Communist and Arab blocs and states with
large Muslim populations. However, its sponsors decided not to press it to
a vote in the plenary session where it could not receive the necessary twothirds
vote.
As the largest contributor to UNRWA, the United States again took
the lead in discussing UNRWA's functions and financing. It supported the
Assembly's July 4 resolution on humanitarian assistance, endorsing the extension
of UNRWA's work "on an emergency basis and as a temporary
measure" to persons, other than 1948 refugees, "who are at present displaced
and in serious need of immediate assistance as a result of the recent hostilities."
The resolution hailed the work of other international relief agencies
and appealed "to all Governments, as well as organizations and individuals"
for special contributions to meet the emergency relief needs. The resolution
was unanimously adopted.
At the end of the year Michelmore reported that UNRWA anticipated a
record budget of $47.5 million in 1968 to meet its regular and emergency
expenses and that, on the basis of pledged and expected contributions, the
agency would face a record deficit of over $7 million.
A United States resolution, adopted by the Assembly plenary on December
19, was essentially the same as in 1966, noting with "deep regret" that there
had been no substantial progress in the integration of the refugees, either
by repatriation or resettlement with compensation. It directed the commissioner-general
to continue his efforts of rectifying the relief rolls and taking
other measures to assure the most equitable distribution of relief based on
need.
United States and Soviet Aid
The resolution noted UNRWA's financial plight and called upon all governments
"as a matter of urgency" to give generous support to the agency.
It specifically urged "non-contributing Governments to contribute and contributing
Governments to consider increasing their contributions." The American
delegate, Congressman Fountain, stated the United States opinion that its