501.BB Palestine/5–3149
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Connolly)
Dear Senator Connally: In accordance with the request of your Committee, dated May 31,1 for the Department’s comments on S.J. Res. 98 proposing to establish the Near East Survey Commission, the Department has made a careful study of the proposal and does not recommend enactment of this measure.
The Department is in full agreement with the objectives of this resolution, which are directed towards promoting the economic development and the general welfare of the Near East, and appreciates the recognition accorded by the resolution to the special importance of this area of the world.
The Department is convinced that the objectives of the resolution should be sought through a United Nations framework, and that the United States should avoid the implication of assumption of direct responsibility for development needs of the Near East. Such an implication would unquestionably be drawn out of the creation of the proposed Commission, even though the resolution directs that the work of the Commission be coordinated with UN activities. The United Nations, through the Palestine Conciliation Commission and the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees, has already assumed responsibility for and is actively seeking solution to many of the problems of the Near East which are included in the objectives of the resolution.
The Department attributes great significance to the activities of the Palestine Conciliation Commission, in which the United States is one of the three participating governments. Pursuant to its task of promoting final settlement of all problems outstanding between Israel and the Arab states, the Conciliation Commission has been charged by the United Nations with the repatriation, resettlement, and economic and social rehabilitation of the refugees from the Palestine hostilities, and has been instructed to seek arrangements which will facilitate the economic development of the area.
The Conciliation Commission is undertaking, in close cooperation with the United States Government and its other participating members, to formulate plans for the accomplishment of the above purposes. Such plans, which are parallel in their objectives with those outlined in Section 6 of the Joint Resolution, are well under way, on the basis [Page 1211] of previously prepared, comprehensive surveys of the Near East. It is understood, moreover, that the Conciliation Commission plans to establish an economic survey group, composed of high ranking administrators and highly competent technical specialists, who will coordinate on a regional basis the existing surveys of the Near East, with a view to accomplishing the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and contributing to the economic development of the entire area. Under its terms of reference, the economic survey group will be required to examine the economic situation in countries affected by the recent hostilities, and to make recommendations which will enable the governments concerned to further such measures and development programs as are required to overcome economic dislocations created by the hostilities; it will be required to reintegrate refugees into the economic life of the area on a self-sustaining basis within a minimum period of time, and to promote economic conditions conducive to the maintenance of peace and stability in the area.
Furthermore, the technical assistance and investment guarantee program which has been submitted to the Congress by the President would enable this Government to participate in the economic development of this area. In developing a preliminary budget for the technical assistance program particular attention was given to the Near East as an area in special need of this type of assistance as an essential element in its economic development.
Under these circumstances, the Department welcomes the interest which has inspired the Joint Resolution under reference. It believes, however, that the purposes of the resolution will be better served by cooperative action such as that contemplated through the Conciliation Commission. Such coordinated effort would insure against duplication and would bring to the problem the facilities and support of other interested governments and international organizations which is essential to solution of the economic and related problems of the area.
In view of the great interest of the United States in the establishment of a firm and lasting peace in the Near East through the efforts of the United Nations, the Department of State hopes that the Congress will give maximum support to measures recommended by the United Nations and its organs to this end.
In view of the request from your Committee for a report at this time, we have not awaited Bureau of the Budget clearance.
Sincerely yours,
Assistant Secretary
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