Speech #890221534

Ahmed Shukairy. has long been anxious to arm them and create within an existing state a private army dedicated to the designs of the leadera military force serving a nation in exile. It is quite apparent that any such paramilitary formation could seriously undermine the political stability of the already shaky Kingdom of Jordan as well as other host countries. Under the status quo. the Arab governments are permitted to evade their own obligations to the refugees and to use them as pawns in the political and propaganda campaign. A settlement of the refugee problem would be a meaningful step toward a constructural solution of the Palestine problem. It would also help to create a healthier and more stable political climate in the entire Middle Eastern area. With these facts in mind. I am introducing legislation which would make U.S. contributions to UNRWA dependent upon the gradual transfer of responsibility for refugees and refugee camps from UNRWA to the host countries. This was one of the recommendations I made in 1963 as a result of my trip in late 1962. it was. however. not implemented. It is not my intention to deny such Arab refugees who are still in need of assistance. the basic necessities of life which they are guaranteed largely by U.S. contributions to UNRWA. The U.S. participation in Arab refugee relief has to be continued until such time as the refugees are assimilated into the social. economic. and cultural fabric of the host countries. Until such time as this is accomplished. the U.S. contributions will be turned over to UNRWA as usual. but UNRWA. in turn. will distribute yearly appropriations to the government of all the host countries for the actual management of refugee relief. With the contributions will also go the responsibilities for fiscal accountability and for the progress of the integration of refugees into the respective economic life of the host countries. Most human beings want to work and get ahead. There is no doubt in my mind that the refugees are becoming absorbed in the host countries. But that process could be speeded if we eliminated the procedures which make for stagnation. and perpetuation of the status quo. Transfer is a sine quo non to a constructive settlement of the refugee problem. Only when the governments of the host countries become directly responsible for the refugees will we begin to see progressive and rapid integration of the refugees into the economic life of those countries. Only when these governments are made responsible politically and economically for the wellbeing and selfreliance of refugees can we expect any serious effort on their part to normalize the existence of these unfortunate lost human beings. Once immediate responsibility for the refugees is transferred to Arab administrations. much of the psychological and emotional obstacles to integration will be removed. Winding up of UNRWAs direct management and responsibility will gradually put an end to incitement and illusion and a dangerous political irredentism. Mr. Speaker. these people have a right to a decent life. In todays world. no human being. old or young. should be subjected to perpetual refugeeism as a way of life.