22091965 Text of the speech made by Mr. Parthasarathi (India) in the Security Council meeting No. 1244 held on 22 September 1965.

22091965 Text of the speech made by Mr. Parthasarathi (India) in the Security Council meeting No. 1244 held on 22 September 1965.

Forbearance is a quality which we have developed in dealing with our difficult neighbour Pakistan, and today I want to show more than normal forbearance in not replying to the representative of Pakistan's diatribes, to these false charges. I can only say that our withers are un wrung by his imputations.

I shall now proceed to the business before us.

As the Council is doubtless aware, the moment it passed its resolution 211 (1965) on 20 September, the Secretary General communicated the text to the Government of India and, presumably, to the Government of Pakistan. The Prime Minister of India's reply in regard to that resolution was communicated to the Secretary-General in less than eighteen hours, agreeing to order a cease-fire at the date and time specified by the Security Council. Our reply was as prompt as was possible in the circumstances in order to avoid further loss of life and devastation, which was the greatest anxiety of the house. Till a few minutes ago we did not know whether Pakistan was going to accept the cease-fire or not. Now the Foreign Minister of Pakistan has chosen to come here and announce it in a dramatic fashion. Though it is on the deadline, we welcome this decision of the Government of Pakistan.

As we were listening to the representative of Pakistan, I received a message from my Government which reads as follows:

"When two armies are locked in battle, it is impossible to bring about a unilateral cease-fire".

I might mention that at the time the message was sent there had been no indication that Pakistan was going to accept the cease-fire.

"It is now less than three hours before the time when the cease-fire is supposed to take effect, and we still do not know Pakistan's decision. In the circumstances, in reaffirming our acceptance of the cease-fire, the Government of India would like to inform the Security Council that we must have reasonable notice of Pakistan's agreement to order a cease-fire, and a new time should be set if and when Pakistan's agreement is received."

I wanted to communicate this message from my Government so that the Council could decide at what time the cease fire should take effect. I am sure the Council will appreciate that this is a reasonable request because orders have to be communicated to the commanders to cease fire.