Speech #860212570

The central fact remains. however. that these people did go from what had been their home and the future of most of these persons. as well as that of their descendants. remains umesolved. Generally speaking. Arab nations have insisted that any settlement of this controversy must be based upon the right of the refugees to exercise a free choice as between monetary compensation and return to the land from which they fled with restoration of their property. On the other hand. the Israeli Government has refused officially to discuss the possibility of a settlement under terms including the right of repatriation. While the foregoing is perhaps an oversimplification of a problem which has many facets. I understand that the central basis of the conflicting positions. insofar as they are publicly stated. is as above set forth. These hundreds of thousands of refugees streamed into surrounding areas in numbers so great that they could not be assimilated into the local economies. Although some resettlement has taken place. for the most part they have existed in refugee camps supported in large measure by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. which. in turn. receives about 70 percent of its support from contributions of the U.S. Government. Among other things. UNRWA periodically issues rations to the holders of ration cards which are assumed to identify the bearer as a bona fide refugee. Of the nearly 1 million refugees now receiving support through UNRWA. approximately 600.000 are within the State of Jordan. Last fall. as a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations. I visited the Middle East. I was accompanied by the distinguished Senator from Wyoming . who represented the Committee on Appropriations. I had been asked by the Committee on Foreign Relations during the course of this visit to look particularly into the question of the administration of the refugee program. Following our inquiry in the State of Jordan. the Senator from Wyoming and I sent a cable to President Eisenhower and to Secretary of State Christian Herter. which I wish to read to the Senate at this time: Refugee program Palestine refugees as presently operated in Jordan is immoral. dishonest and unfair. Fundamental change required before extension justified. UNRWA officials say fraudulent possession and use of ration cards for Jordanians widespread but GOJ will not permit validation cards now 11 years old. Some officials estimate there may be 150.000 ration cards unjustifiably or fraudulently used. Ration cards have become chattel for sale. for rent or bargain by any Jordanian whether refugee or not. needy or wealthy. These cards used as security for loans from money lenders. for credit from merchants. almost as negotiable Instrument. By mortgage foreclosure and various other means including concealment of dead. many have acquired large numbers ration cards which in turn are rented or bartered to others who unjustifiably receive UNRWA rations much of which now in black market.