Working Group on UNRWA Financing Holds First Meeting; Elects Officers and Hears Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General

The Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) held its first meeting this morning, electing Nuri Eren (Turkey) as Chairman. H.R. Amonoo (Ghana) was elected Vice-Chairman, and Arne Arnesen (Norway) was elected Rapporteur. The Working Group heard a statement this morning by Laurence Michelmore, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, who presented a working paper on various aspects of the problem. After a preliminary exchange of views, the Working Group decided to concentrate on the ""cash crisis"" facing UNRWA, leaving until later longer-range aspects of the problem. The Working Group was established on 7 December by the General Assembly, which was acting on an urgent recommendation from the Special Political Committee.
Laurence Michelmore, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, making a statement. Seated next to him are Nuri Eren (Turkey), Chairman, and Kurt Herndl, Secretary.