408. Editorial Note
On November 14, the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Henry R. Labouisse, submitted to the 10th session of the United Nations General Assembly his annual report covering the period July 1, 1954, to June 30, 1955. (U.N. doc.A/2978) Accompanying it was a special report covering the needs of refugee children, residents of the border villages, and other claimants for relief (U.N. doc.A/2978/ Add. 1.) as well as a special report from the Advisory Commission of the Agency. (U.N. doc.A/3017) Between November 14 and 30, 1955, the Ad Hoc Political Committee held twelve meetings for the purpose of considering the question of assistance to Palestine refugees.
On November 28, the Representatives of Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States submitted a joint draft resolution to the Ad Hoc Political Committee that would direct the Agency to pursue its programs for the relief and rehabilitation of refugees, bearing in mind the limitations imposed upon it by the extent of contributions, and would appeal to the governments of member and non-member States to make voluntary contributions to the extent necessary to carry through to fulfillment the Agency’s programs. It requested the governments of the area to make a determined effort to seek and carry out projects capable of supporting substantial numbers of refugees, and noted further the serious need of other claimants for relief. Finally, it requested the Director of UNRWA to continue to submit annual reports and budgets to the General Assembly. (U.N. doc.A/AC. 80/L.6.)
On November 30, the Ad Hoc Political Committee adopted the joint resolution by a roll call vote of 38 to none, with 19 abstentions. (U.N. doc.A/3057) At its 550th plenary meeting on December 3, the General Assembly adopted without debate General Assembly Resolution 916 (X), as recommended by the Ad Hoc Political Committee, by 38 votes to none, with 17 abstentions.