Speech #900015277

Mr. Speaker. I am today introducing a resolution recommending that the President take steps to assure that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency be required to rectify the rolls of Arab refugees registered for relief. This resolution covers two important refugee areas: rations and general relief roll benefits. First. I believe it is in our national interest to require that all ration cards for Arab refugees be canceled at once and that new cards be issued based upon a legitimate current census of bona fide refugees. I do this because these cards have become an instrument of unconscionable abuse. It has been acknowledged that births are always registered for ration purposes but deaths are often concealed so that the family may continue to collect rations. It has been also established that these rations help to support Arabs whose sole activity is to stir up trouble in Israel. particularly the Palestine Liberation Army. There is maJor traffic in ration cards. the profits of which go to no good purpose. My resolution will require that new cards be issued only to those who are bona fide refugees and who are not employed in acts which endanger the peace. Second. It has been established that more than a half million Arabs maintain registered refugee status though they are holding down Jobs and no longer live as refugees. thus benefiting from supplemental refugee relief. I will seek to attach this resolution as a condition to whatever aid we shall give this year to the support of these refugees. The United States has paid some 70 percent of the total cost of the Arab refugee program. We have the right to Insist that our funds be spent honestly and In pursuit of peace.