Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

Terms of Reference of the Economic Survey Mission¹

September 1, 1949

Terms of Reference of the Economic Survey Mission

The Palestine Conciliation Commission,

Desiring further to implement paragraphs 10 and 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, and to obtain information which will serve as the basis for recommendations for further action by the General Assembly, Member States, appropriate specialized agencies, and interested organizations, and

Having noted the declarations of representatives of Israel and the Arab States with respect to repatriation, resettlement and compensation of refugees,

Pursuant to the authorization granted to it under paragraph 12 of the foregoing resolution,

1. Hereby establishes under its auspices an Economic Survey Mission to examine the economic situation in the countries affected by the recent hostilities, and to make recommendations to the Commission for an integrated programme:

(a) To enable the Governments concerned to further such measures and development programmes as are required to overcome economic dislocations created by the hostilities;

(b) To facilitate the repatriation, resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation of the refugees and the payment of compensation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph eleven of the General Assembly’s resolution of 11 December 1948, in order to reintegrate the refugees into the economic life of the area on a self-sustaining basis within a minimum period of time;

(c) To promote economic conditions conducive to the maintenance of peace and stability in the area.

2. Instructs the Economic Survey Mission to include in its recommendations an operational plan for carrying out the recommended programmes together with the estimated costs and methods of financing.

3. Authorizes the Mission, pursuant to paragraph 14 of the General Assembly’s resolution of 11 December 1948, to invite the assistance of those Governments, specialized agencies and international organizations which may be able to facilitate its work.

Recommends that the Survey Mission approach its task along the following lines:

In collaboration with the Governments concerned:

(a) Explore the measures which can be taken by the Governments concerned without outside financial assistance to achieve the objectives of paragraph 1 above;

(b) On the basis of existing plans and surveys, examine proposals submitted by the Governments concerned for economic development and settlement projects requiring outside assistance which would make possible absorption of the refugees into the economy of the area on a self-sustained basis in a minimum time with a minimum expenditure;

(c) Examine other economic projects which can, with outside assistance, provide temporary employment for the refugees not employed on the development and settlement projects of paragraph (b);

(d) Examine such other development, and settlement projects requiring outside assistance which, though not associated directly with the employment and settlement of refugees, would serve to achieve the objective of paragraph 1;

(e) Estimate the number of refugees who cannot be supported directly or indirectly through the employment envisaged under paragraphs (a)–(d), together with the estimated period during which direct relief will be required and the cost thereof;

(f) Study the problem of compensation to refugees for claims for property of those who do not return to their homes, and for the loss of or damage to property, with special reference to the relationship of such compensation to the proposed settlement projects;

(g) Study the problem of rehabilitation of refugees, including matters concerning their civil status, health, education and social services;

(h) Propose an organizational structure to achieve the objectives of paragraph 1 within a United Nations framework, to coordinate, supervise and facilitate measures for relief, resettlement, economic development and related requirements such as community service facilities, bearing in mind the interests of all Governments concerned.

1 September 1949.

1. Dated September 1, 1949; reprinted from GA (IV), Ad Hoc Political Committee, Annex, volume i, 1949, p. 29.