16071952--251 Text of the Statement of the United Nations Representative to the representatives of India and Pakistan in the joint meeting of 16 July 1952 at United Nations Headquarters.
16071952--251 Text of the Statement of the United Nations Representative to the representatives of India and Pakistan in the joint meeting of 16 July 1952 at United Nations Headquarters.
1. In his statement on 29 May 1952 at the joint meeting of the delegations of India and Pakistan [annex 1] the United Nations Representative outlined the basic principles that were to guide his activities, as well as the procedure that he would follow in the negotiations started at that moment.
2. In accordance with that statement the United Nations Representative obtained from the representatives of the two Governments their then present positions in the light of his third report to the Security Council, and the additional observation that they deemed it appropriate to make,
3. Meetings of the Military Advisers also took place in which they sought to define certain terms used in the twelve proposals in connection with the resolutions of 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949.
4. The United Nations Representative at this stage of his mediatory activity, and taking into account the course of the negotiations up to now, considers that the appropriate step is to lay on the table at a meeting at ministerial level a new draft of his twelve proposals in which as a basis for discussion, some of the paragraphs have been revised in the light of the recent considerations.
5. The United Nations Representative believes that progress can be made and several of the objections met if the process of demilitarization and the plebiscite are contemplated in different stages, namely
First stage-demilitarization. Part II of the 13 August 1948 UNCIP resolution and part of sub-paragraph 4 (a) and (b) of the 5 January 1949 UNCIP resolution to be implemented.
Second stage-preparation for the plebiscite. Once the first stage has been implemented, the Plebiscite Administrator designate is inducted into office and gives his views concerning the ways and means of carrying out the plebiscite. At the same time the United Nations Representative, in addition to carrying out the responsibilities conferred upon him by part II of the resolution of 13 August 1948, will consider the situation existing in the State, and when he is satisfied that peaceful conditions have been restored in the State, will fulfil the remaining duties conferred upon him, in association with the Plebiscite Administrator, in sub-paragraph 4 (a) and (b) in the 5 January 1949 resolution.
Third stage-plebiscite. In this stage the plebiscite will take place in accordance with the resolution of 5 January 1949.
6. The United Nations Representative sees the following values in his proposals as rewritten:
(i) The signing of a truce agreement will help to dissipate misunderstandings and serve to promote a friendly atmosphere between the two countries.
(ii) Parts I and II of the 13 August resolution will have been implemented once the withdrawals take place down to agreed figures.
(iii) Large-scale disbanding and disarming of the Azad Kashmir forces will have taken place.
(iv) The forces that will remain at the end of the period of demilitarization will not necessarily be the forces that will exist at the moment of the plebiscite. It is up to the United Nations Representative and the Plebiscite Administrator, in consultation with the appropriate authorities, to determine the final disposal of the remaining forces,
(v) It is up to the United Nations Representative in accordance with sub-paragraph 4 (a) of the 5 January 1949 resolution, to be satisfied that peaceful conditions have been restored in the State.
7. Concerning the number of forces to be left on each side of the cease-fire line until peaceful conditions are restored and final disposal of them is determined, the United Nations Representative suggests brackets within which discussion can proceed.
8. The United Nations Representative considers that it would be more useful if the revised proposals are discussed at a meeting between representatives of the two Governments at a ministerial level, in which not only these proposals may be considered but, if necessary, also the general implementation of the two resolutions together with any suggestions the parties may wish to make.
9. The United Nations Representative sees advantages in this course of action. In his opinion it will lead to a thorough discussion of the problems involved, and will perhaps help to create a constructive atmosphere that will benefit the outcome of the discussions.
10. For the meeting referred to in paragraph 8 above, the United Nations Representative has in mind the following:
(i) The meeting would be of representatives of the two Governments at ministerial level under the auspices
of the United Nations Representative. (ii) The agenda of the meeting would be "Implementation of the resolutions of 13 August 1948 and
5 January 1949". (iii) The United Nations Representative will begin the meeting with a discussion of the revised draft proposals.
(iv) The meeting would take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, or another place that may be convenient for the parties, on a date to be agreed on. The date of 29 July 1952 is suggested.
(v) The duration of the meeting would be eight days, unless the course of the meetings indicates a prolongation for eight more days.