Speech #870083176

President. I rise to discuss the latest developments in the Near East. with special reference to two points. The first is the message of the President of the United States sent to the Arab countries. in which one of the major aspects of these relations was dealt with. to wit. the Palestine Arab refugees. The other is the pending consideration before the Committee on Foreign Relations of the mutual security bill. with the question before that committee as to what it will or will not do about carrying in the bill the amendment adopted to an appropriation act with respect to mutual securitythis was offered by the Senator from Oregon and myself. and dealt with discrimination against Americans because of their faith in terms of admission to Arab countriesand an amendment sponsored by my distinguished colleague and by the Senator from Illinois with reference to freedom of transit through the Suez Canal and other international arteries. Mr. President. it has long been recognized that a major step toward some degree of stability of relations between Israel and the Arab States lies in the solution of the problem of the Arab refugees. This important issue was referred to by President Kennedy. in his letter to the Arab leaders on May 11. in which he restated U.S. willingness to cooperate in a peaceful settlement of Near East problems and to support national- development programs which will raise living standards. The President said. in part: We are willing to help resolve the tragic Palestine refugee problem on the basis of the principle of repatriation or compensation for property. to assist them in finding an equitable answer to the question of the Jordan River waterresources development and to be helpful in making progress on other aspects of this complex problem. I am pleased the United Nations General Assembly recently underscored the necessity to implement more rapidly its previous recommendations on the refugee problem. In this connection .I wish to state unequivocally that this Governments position is anchored and will continue to be anchored in the firm bedrock of support for General Assembly recommendations concerning the refugees "and of action and impartial concern that those resolutions be implemented in a way most beneficial to the refugees: Mr. President. the word missing in all this recital of our policy is the word "resettlement." This is a key word in the United Nations resolutions and declarations by the Congress dealing with the problem. It is therefore difficult to understand why it was omitted in so vital a state document.