Speech #870099481

I would like to put my views on record because. judging from reports in the press. I am afraid that the administration may be moving in the Wrong direction. It has been reported that the administration is pressing Israel to repatriate Arab refugees because of pressure from the Committee on Appropriations. The Arab press has said that the administration is proposing that Ipae take back as many as 250.000. I am mystified by these reports because I do not believe that Members of Congress would hold up this appropriation in order to stampede the administration into undertaking ah Initiative that could prove to be both impractieal and unjust. Most people who have given thought to the problem are agreed that the large maJo.ty of the Arab refugees should be resettled in Arab countries. Of course. Israel should pay compensation for the property of those who do not return. Conceivably. Israel may be expected to repatriate some refugees to reunite families. But I do not see how anyone could expect Israel to repatriate any substantial number in advance of a peace settlement. The United Nations resolution of 1948. which is always cited In this connection. clearly intended that. repatriation should come in the context of peace negotiations. And as long as Arab leaders refuse to negotiate with Israel. and persist in the threat of war. It is most unlikely that Israel would open its doors to potential enemies. Father Vincent Kearney. associate editor of America. national Catholic weekly. wrote in that publication on April 9. 1960: "Nor is it reasonable to expect Israel to commit national suicide by opening her borders to a million potential enemiesthe displaced Palestine refugees. Israel still protests it is ready to negotiate a settlement. We cannot know what Israel will propose. unless the opportunity is given it to meet Arab leaders face to face." Under these circumstances. I find it hard to credit newspaper reports that the administration intends to press Israel to take the initiative by offering to repatriate all who want to return. If these reports are accurate. then it seems to me that we are raising false hopes in the minds of the Arab refugees. The published texts of the Presidents message to the Arab lekders speak of "repatriation or compensation." but do not mention the word resettlement. so far as I can discover. It is wrong to foster the illusion in the minds of the Arab refugees that we really believe that the primary and initial burden rests on Israel and that we are indifferent to her security and survival. We should be clear on this issue and leave no doubt in the minds of the Arabs that we advocate resettlement as the logical solution. Let me emphasize that members of the House Appropriations Committee would like to see this problem solved as quickly as possible. But It Is precisely because we do want to see this issue solved. equitably and swiftly. that it is wrong to encourage the Arabs to believe that we intend to force Israel to repatriate them. If we persist in this line. the Arabs will never be willing to accept any resettlement. This would prove a disservice to the best Interests of the refugees themselves and would make it necessary for us to continue the UNRWA appropriations indefinitelya burden we have no right to impose on our taxpayers without the promise of progress. With kindest regards. I am.