Nomination of Special Representative (Johnson), budget and personnel of the Technical Office – UNCCP 349th meeting (New York) – Summary Record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-NINTH MEETING (CLOSED)

Held at Headquarters, New York,
on Thursday, 18 January 1962, at 3:30 p.m.

CONTENTS

Adoption of the agenda

Consideration of the draft telegram from the Secretary-General to the Arab host States and Israel

Other business

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was adopted.

CONSIDERATION OF THE DRAFT TELEGRAM FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TO THE ARAB HOST STATES AND ISRAEL

The CHAIRMAN drew attention to the letter dated 10 January from the Secretary-General transmitting the text of resolution 1725 (XVI) and assuring the Commission of his co-operation in accordance with paragraph 1 (0) of that resolution. He noted that members of the Commission had decided to follow the advice of Dr. Joseph E. Johnson (Addendum to the Nineteenth Progress Report, A/4921/Add.11 para. 56) and name a Special Representative and also to make a preliminary approach to the Governments of the Arab host States and Israel by suggesting that the Secretary-General send a telegram concerning a Special Representative to the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of those Governments. The Chairman asked whether Dr. Johnson had any observations to make.

Dr. JOHNSON (former Special Representative of UNCCP) said that he had recently been reserving his position, uncertain how the proposed implementation of resolution 1725 (XVI) would be regarded by the Arab countries. It was his feeling that they would be willing to co-operate. On the basis of favourable reaction to the proposed draft telegram he would be honoured to accept reappointment in the capacity of Special Representative. Dr. Johnson made clear that the Board of the Carnegie Endowment had limited him to offering his services for the year 1962.

A discussion of the proposed draft telegram took place and resulted in approval of a revised text.

It was agreed that the Chairman in the course of an interview with the Secretary-General would transmit the suggested draft telegram together with a cover letter outlining the Commission’s decision and requesting the Secretary-General's co-operation.

It was also agreed that the formal step of appointing a Special Representative would be taken somewhat later and announcement thereof made at an appropriate time. Meanwhile, upon dispatch of the telegram an informal request would be made to all concerned including the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations of Governments concerned that no publicity be given to it at this time.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Secretariat circulated copies of a note verbale to the Chairman from the Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States, dated 9 January 1962, requesting a microfilm copy of the Land Registry records of the Palestine Mandatory Administration.

Mr. JARVIS (Land Expert), made a brief progress report on the current evaluation work of the Technical Office, stating that some 97,000 parcels bad been processed to date. He warned that his late September estimate of one year as the time needed for completion of an intensified programme of identification and evaluation work, recently authorized by the Commission and the subject of its 22 December 1961 letter to the Secretary-General, meant one year from the time the necessary additional staff became available. Consequently the work would not be completed by September 1962.

Mr. GAILLARD (Acting Principal Secretary) informed the Commission that, in response to the Commission’s letter of 22 December and a supporting memorandum to Field Service dated 27 December regarding staff and other facilities needed a supplementary budget had been approved and appropriate administration action was being taken through Field Service to make available the requested additional clerical and other facilities. Unfortunately the administration had not yet been able to find and assign the necessary additional office space. Efforts were being made to obtain an early satisfactory solution of the problem.

The meeting rose at 4.50 p.m.