Resolution 53/46
(December 3, 1998)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 52/57 of 10 December 1997 and all its
previous resolutions on the question, including resolution 194 (III) of 11
December 1948,
Taking note of the report of the Commissioner-General of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
covering the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998,1/
Welcoming the signature in Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993 by
the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation
Organization, the representative of the people of Palestine, of the
Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements2/
and the subsequent implementation agreements, and also the signature of the
Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
in Washington, D.C., on 28 September 1995,3/
Encouraging the Multilateral Working Group on Refugees of the Middle
East peace process to continue its important work,
Welcoming the completion of the transfer of the headquarters of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East to Gaza, to its area of operations,
1. Notes with regret that repatriation or compensation of the
refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of its resolution 194 (III), has
not yet been effected and that, therefore, the situation of the refugees
continues to be a matter of concern;
2. Expresses its thanks to the Commissioner-General and to all the
staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East, recognizing that the Agency is doing all it can within
the limits of available resources, and also expresses its thanks to the
specialized agencies and to private organizations for their valuable work
in assisting refugees;
3. Notes with regret that the United Nations Conciliation Commission
for Palestine has been unable to find a means of achieving progress in the
implementation of paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III),
and requests the Commission to exert continued efforts towards the
implementation of that paragraph and to report to the Assembly as
appropriate, but no later than 1 September 1999;
4. Notes the significant success of the Peace Implementation
Programme of the Agency since the signing of the Declaration of Principles
on Interim Self-Government Arrangements,2/ and stresses the
importance that contributions to this Programme are not at the expense of
the General Fund;
5. Welcomes strengthened cooperation between the Agency and the
World Bank and other specialized agencies, and calls upon the Agency to
make a decisive contribution towards giving a fresh impetus to the economic
and social stability of the occupied territories;
6. Urges all Member States to extend and expedite aid and assistance
with a view to the economic and social development of the Palestinian
people and the occupied territories;
7. Reiterates its deep concern regarding the persisting critical
financial situation of the Agency, as outlined in the report of the
Commissioner-General;1
8. Commends the efforts of the Commissioner-General to move towards
budgetary transparency and internal efficiency, and hopes that such moves
will continue;
9. Notes with profound concern that the structural deficit problem
confronting the Agency portends an almost certain decline in the living
conditions of the Palestine refugees and that it, therefore, has possible
consequences for the peace process;
10. Calls upon all Governments, as a matter of urgency, to make the
most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency,
urges non-contributing Governments to contribute regularly, and encourages
contributing Governments to consider increasing their regular
contributions;
11. Decides to extend the mandate of the Agency until 30 June 2002,
without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 11 of General Assembly
resolution 194 (III).
78th plenary meeting
3 December 1998
1/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-third Session,
Supplement No. 13 (A/53/13).
2/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex: sess Official Records of the Security
council, Forty-eighth Year, Supplement for October, November and December
S/26560.
3/ A/51/188-S/1997/357, annex; see Official Records of the Security
Council, Fifty-second Year, Supplement for April, May June 1997, document
Sources: The United Nations |