A/RES/53/46
Page 2
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;
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