From: HQ-PIO HQ-PIO@UNRWA.ORG [UNWRA Headquarters – Jerusalem]
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 9:23 AM
Subject: UNRWA New York Director apologises and retracts "inappropriate and
wrong" comments on the right of return and again underlines they don't
represent the views of UNRWA
UNRWA New York Director apologises and retracts "inappropriate and wrong"
comments on the right of return and again underlines they don't represent
the views of UNRWA
3 November 2010
Dear Mr. Gunness,
I am writing following my realisation – from media reports, statements and
letters from individuals, organisations and governments – that part of the
remarks I delivered at a conference in Washington hosted by the National
Council on US – Arab Relations, on 22 October, 2010, were inappropriate and
wrong. Those remarks did not represent UNRWA’s views.
I express my sincere regrets and apologies over any harm that my words may
have done to the cause of the Palestine refugees and for any offence I may
have caused. I have spent much of my long career working for the Palestinian
people, and defending their rights, in different professional capacities. It
is definitely not my belief that the refugees should give up on their basic
rights, including the right of return.
I wish to put this letter on the public record out of concern that what I
said in Washington could be interpreted in ways that negatively affect the
reputation and work of UNRWA, an organisation I have been proud to serve
since July 2002. The Agency is at liberty to use my statement in whatever
ways it sees fit. There is no need for a reply.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Whitley
=======================
IMRA:
Andrew Whitley, due to soon leave his post as director of the United Nations
Refugee and Works Agency’s New York office, told the National Council for
US-Arab Relations’ annual conference:
“If one doesn’t start a discussion soon with the refugees for them to
consider what their own future might be – for them to start debating their
own role in the societies where they are rather than being left in a state
of limbo where they are helpless but preserve rather the cruel illusions
that perhaps they will return one day to their homes – then we are storing
up trouble for ourselves....We recognize, as I think most do, although it’s
not a position that we publicly articulate, that the right of return is
unlikely to be exercised to the territory of Israel to any significant or
meaningful extent...It’s not a politically palatable issue, it’s not one
that UNRWA publicly advocates, but nevertheless it’s a known contour to the
issue.”
The Jerusalem Post
10/23/2010 18:23
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=192485
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