(d) Decides that, as soon as the Negotiating Committee has completed its work, the Secretary-General shall at the Committee's request arrange, during the current session of the General Assembly, an appropriate meeting of Member and non-member States at which Members may commit themselves to their national contributions and the contributions of non-members may be made known; 9. Authorizes the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, to advance funds, deemed to be available for this purpose and not exceeding $5,000,000, from the Working Capital Fund to finance operations pursuant to the present resolution, such sum to be repaid not later than 31 December 1951; 10. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the specialized agencies to utilize to the fullest extent the Agency's facilities as a point of reference and co-ordination for technical assistance programmes in the countries in which the Agency is operating; 11. Expresses its appreciation to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International Refugee Organization, the International Labour Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organization for the assistance which they have rendered, and urges them to continue to furnish all possible assistance to the Agency; 12. Commends the International Committee of the Red Cross, the League of Red Cross Societies, and the American Friends Service Committee for their invaluable services and whole-hearted co-operation in the distribution of relief supplies until those functions were taken over by the Agency; 13. Expresses its thanks to the numerous religious, charitable and humanitarian organizations whose programmes have brought much needed supplementary assistance to the Palestine refugees, and urges them to continue and expand, to the extent possible, the work which they have undertaken on behalf of the refugees; 14. Extends its appreciation and thanks to the Director and staff of the Agency and the members of the Advisory Committee for their effective and devoted work. 46. UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 916 (X), DECEMBER 3, 19551 The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 December 1948,2 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949,3 393 (V) of 2 December 1950, 513 (VI) of 26 U.N. General Assembly, Official Records, Tenth Session, Supplement No. 19 (A/3116), pp. 7-8. 2 Ibid., Third Session, Part I, Resolutions (A/810), pp. 21-25. 3 Ibid., Fourth Session, Resolutions (A/1251), pp. 23-25. ▲ Supra. January 1952,1 614 (VII) of 6 November 1952,2 720 (VIII) of 27 November 1953,3 and 818 (IX) of 4 December 1954,4 5 6 Noting the annual report and the special report of the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the special report of the Advisory Commission of the Agency, Having reviewed the budgets for relief and rehabilitation prepared by the Director of the Agency, Noting that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III), has not been effected, that no substantial progress has been made in the programme for reintegration of refugees endorsed in paragraph 2 of resolution 513 (VI) and that the situation of the refugees therefore continues to be a matter of grave concern, 1. Directs the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to pursue its programmes for the relief and rehabilitation of refugees, bearing in mind the limitations imposed upon it by the extent of the contributions for the fiscal year; 2. Requests the Agency to continue its consultation with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine in the best interest of their respective tasks, with particular reference to paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III); 3. Requests the Government of the area, without prejudice to paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III), to make a determined effort, in co-operation with the Director of the Agency, to seek and carry out projects capable of supporting substantial numbers of refugees; 4. Notes with gratification that the Government of the Hashimite Kingdom of the Jordan and the Agency have made substantial progress toward resolving the difficulties which impede the granting of rations to all qualified refugee children in Jordan; 5. Notes the serious need of the other claimants for relief as described in the special report prepared by the Director pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 818 (IX), namely, the frontier villagers in Jordan, the non-refugee population of the Gaza strip, a number of the refugees in Egypt, and certain of the Bedouin; 6. Appeals to private organizations to give them increased assistance to the extent that local Governments cannot do so; 7. Urges all Governments and individuals to support these private organizations with food, goods and services; 8. Requests the Negotiating Committee for Extra-Budgetary Funds, after the receipt of the budgets from the Director of the Agency, to seek such funds as may be required by the Agency; U.N. General Assembly, Official Records, Sixth Session, Supplement No. 20 (A/2119), pp. 12–13. pp. 7-8. 2 Ibid., Seventh Session, Supplement No. 20 (A/2361), 7 Ibid., Tenth Session, Agenda Item 22 (A/3017). 9. Appeals to the Governments of Member and non-member States to make voluntary contributions to the extent necessary to carry through to fulfilment the Agency's programmes, and thanks the numerous religious, charitable and humanitarian organizations for their valuable and continuing work in assisting the refugees; 10. Expresses its thanks to the Director and the staff of the Agency for their continued faithful efforts to carry out their mandate, and requests the Governments of the area to continue to facilitate the work of the Agency and to ensure the protection of its personnel and property; 11. Requests the Director of the Agency to continue to submit the reports referred to in paragraph 21 of resolution 302 (IV) as well as the annual budgets. E. THE IRANIAN OIL CONTROVERSY 47. UNITED STATES POSITION IN TALKS WITH IRAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM: Statement by the Department of State, May 18, 19511 The United States is deeply concerned by the dispute between the Iranian and British Governments over Iranian oil. We are firm friends of both Iran and Great Britain and are sincerely interested in the welfare of each country. The United States wants an amicable settlement to this dispute, which is serious not only to the parties directly concerned but also to the whole free world. We have followed the matter closely and have told both countries where we stand. The views which we have expressed have related to the broad aspects of the problem, as it has not been appropriate for us to advise with respect to specific terms of arrangements which might be worked out. Since the United States attitude has been the subject of some speculation, it is deemed advisable to describe the position which we have taken in our talks with representatives of Iran and Great Britain. We have stressed to the Governments of both countries the need to solve the dispute in a friendly way through negotiation and have urged them to avoid intimidation and threats of unilateral action. In our talks with the British Government, we have expressed the opinion that arrangements should be worked out with the Iranians which give recognition to Iran's expressed desire for greater control 1 Department of State Bulletin, May 28, 1951, p. 851. See also statements by the Department of State on Apr. 9 and 19, and remarks by the Secretary of State on May 23, 1951; ibid., Apr. 23, 1951, p. 661, Apr. 30, 1951, p. 700, and June 4, 1951, p. 891. over and benefits from the development of its petroleum resources. While the United States has not approved or disapproved the terms of any particular British proposal, it is pleased to note a sincere desire on the part of the British to negotiate with the Iranians on all outstanding issues. We fully recognize the sovereign rights of Iran and sympathize with Iran's desire that increased benefits accrue to that country from the development of its petroleum. In talks with the Iranian Government, we have pointed out the serious effects of any unilateral cancellation of clear contractual relationships which the United States strongly opposes. We have stressed the importance of the Iranians achieving their legitimate objectives through friendly negotiation with the other party, consistent with their international responsibilities. This would have the advantage of maintaining confidence in future commercial investments in Iran and, indeed, in the validity of contractual arrangements all over the world. Iran has been urged, before it takes final action, to analyze carefully the practical aspects of this problem. In this connection, we have raised the question of whether or not the elimination of the established British oil company from Iran would in fact secure for Iran the greatest possible benefits. We have pointed out that the efficient production and refining of Iranian oil requires not only technical knowledge and capital but transport and marketing facilities such as those provided by the company. We have also pointed out that any uncertainty as to future availability of Iranian supplies would cause concern on the part of customers which might lead to shifts in their source of supply with a consequent decreased revenue to Iran. Those United States oil companies which would be best able to conduct operations such as the large-scale and complex industry in Iran have indicated to this Government that they would not in the face of unilateral action by Iran against the British company be willing to undertake operations in that country. Moreover, petroleum technicians of the number and competence required to replace those presently in Iran are not, due to extreme shortages of manpower in this specialized field, available in this country or in other countries. The United States believes that Iran and Great Britain have such a strong mutuality of interests that they must and will find some way, through friendly negotiation, of reestablishing a relationship which will permit each party to play its full role in the achievement of their common objectives. Through such negotiation it is felt that Iran's basic desires and interests can best be realized, the legitimate British interests preserved, and the essential flow of Iranian oil into the markets of the free world maintained. The United States has repeatedly expressed its great interest in the continued independence and territorial integrity of Iran and has given and will continue to give concrete evidence of this interest. 48. UNITED STATES NONINTERVENTION IN IRANIAN DOMESTIC AFFAIRS: Aide-Mémoire From the American Ambassador at Tehran to the Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs, May 26, 1951 1 The aide-mémoire of His Excellency, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran, which was handed to the American Ambassador in Tehran on May 21,2 has been carefully considered by the Government of the United States. It is unfortunate that the public statement made by this Government on May 18 3 has been misconstrued by the Iranian Government as intervention in the internal affairs of Iran. The United States wishes to make it clear that it did not then intend, nor does it now intend, to interfere in the internal affairs of Iran, nor to oppose Iran's sovereign rights or the expressed desires of the Iranian Government in regard to control of Iranian resources. There is, however, legitimate basis for deep and proper interest on the part of this Government in a solution of the oil problem in Iran. A serious controversy exists between Iran and Great Britain, a controversy which could undermine the unity of the free world and seriously weaken it. The United States is bound to both countries by strong ties of friendship and has attested its sincere concern for the well-being of both. It has, therefore, in view of the importance of the matter, discussed the issues with both parties and has stated publicly the principles it considers important in reaching a solution of this controversy. The United States continues in its firm belief that an issue of this kind can be settled satisfactorily only by negotiation by the parties concerned. While the United States has urged upon both parties the need for moderation, it has taken no position on details of any arrangement which might be worked out. It has, however, reaffirmed its stand against unilateral cancellation of contractual relationships and actions of a confiscatory nature. The United States is convinced that through negotiation a settlement can be found which will satisfy the desires of the Iranian people to control their own resources, which will protect legitimate British interests and which will assure uninterrupted flow of Iranian oil to its world markets. Such a settlement is, in the opinion of this Government, of the utmost importance not only to the welfare of the two powers concerned but to that of the entire free world. The United States wishes to state again its deep interest in the welfare of the Iranian people and in the maintenance of the independence and territorial integrity of Iran, which is a cardinal principle of United States policy. 1 Department of State Bulletin, June 4, 1951, pp. 891–892. 2 Not printed. Supra. |