13011949 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Shaffi (Pakistan) in the Security Council Meeting No. 399 held on 13 January 1949

13011949 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Shaffi (Pakistan) in the Security Council Meeting No. 399 held on 13 January 1949

When I came to this meeting, I was not aware that I was to be given the privilege of speaking before the Security Council.

I should like, however, to take this opportunity to associate myself with the remarks of the President and the representative of India. I believe that it is impossible to overestimate the work which has been done by the Commission. I believe that the Commission's work may quite well be a milestone in the history of the United Nations. My Government has always desired and hoped most earnestly that this question would be settled on an amicable basis. I believe that, thanks to the Commission's sterling work, there is every reason to look forward with optimism to the settlement of this whole dispute. Much still remains to be done, of course, and my Government hopes that the details of the carrying out of the agreement will be worked out so that the people of Kashmir may be firmly convinced. that a free, unfettered and impartial plebiscite has been held. That is the earnest desire of my Government. It is for the people of Kashmir and Jammu, through the auspices of an impartial plebiscite, to decide for themselves in accordance with the democratic way of life whether they wish to accede to India or to Pakistan.

I think there remains little more to say except to thank the Security Council for its forbearance in this matter. I know that the arguments have on occasion dragged on almost interminably, and I think the patience of the Council has sometimes been strained almost to the breaking point. I also know that, on occasions, the work of the Commission has been hard and arduous; but its tenacity and good faith all round have undoubtedly contributed largely toward bringing us to the stage which we have now reached.

On the invitation of the President, Mr. Samper, Chairman of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan, took his place at the Security Council table.

The President: As agreed on 13 December [456th meeting), we shall employ simultaneous interpretation for all statements made either by members of the Council or by other representatives, and shall use consecutive interpretation only for procedural matters and when we come to a vote on any draft resolution which may be submitted to the Council.