Speech #910142302

Such a clear policy would be bound to strengthen the hand of those in the Arab world. especially among the student generation. who want to turn away from the disastrous policy of military misadventures. and turn instead to the solution of ever more pressing problems on the homefront. In his speech of December 9. Secretary Rogers referred to the problem of the Palestine refugees as one that had been "of special concern" to the United States for over 20 years. and said: We are prepared to oontribute generously along with others to solve this problem. I hope that this statement means that we will begin to approach this matter with a more imaginativeand. if necessary. tougherpolicy than the one we have followed for two decades. that of contributing the lions share of the funds required to carry out the altogether unsatisfactory UNRWA program. The Arab states have wanted the UNRWA refugee camps kept in being as centers of bitter resentment against Israel. and more recently Palestinian terrorists have actually taken control of some of these camps. The continuation of the UNRWA program. as we have known it. is no kindness to the refugees who have to live in the camps year after year. and now generation after generation. But the situation will not be rectified. and no solution will be found. until the United States makes clear that its contributions to the present program are going to be phased out. Specifically. I propose that the United States should indicate that. as it phases out its support of the camp operation. it will be prepared to "contribute generously" to the resettlement of the refugees. either in Israelto the extent that is possible and desirableor in Arab countries. or possibly even elsewhere. as such a program might be worked out. Finally. I believe the Secretarys remarks about Jerusalem are unrealistic.