25081952--257  Text of the Statement of the United Nations Representative in the first meeting of the conference between the representatives of India and Pakistan in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on 25 August 1952

25081952--257  Text of the Statement of the United Nations Representative in the first meeting of the conference between the representatives of India and Pakistan in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on 25 August 1952

As United Nations Representative I welcome the presence around this table of the representatives of the Governments of India and Pakistan. It is my faith that the work of this Conference will be carried out with goodwill and in a constructive spirit in order to fulfil the hopes placed in this meeting.

I would like to confirm my statements of 29 May [annex 1] and 16 July [annex 2] made in New York in the joint meetings with the delegations of India and Pakistan.

In the statement on 16 July 1952 the United Nations Representative said that the agenda of this Conference would be, "implementation of the UNCIP resolutions of 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949". I also indicated that the meetings would begin with a discussion of the revised draft proposals [annex 3] which were submitted to the two Governments. Both Governments indicated their acceptance of these bases for the Conference.

It might be of assistance, to repeat here that part of the statement of 16 July 1952 in which the Representative said:

"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-paragraphs 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-paragraphs 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.

The United Nations Representative sees the following values in his proposals as rewritten:

(i) The signing of a truce agreement will help to dissipate misunderstanding and serve to promote a friendly atmosphere between the two countries.

(ii) Parts I and II of the 13th 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.

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."

I understand that the representatives agree that these meetings will be private. I shall therefore make no statement to the Press regarding what takes place during these meetings and I presume that this is also the intention of the representatives of the two Governments. If it should be found desirable to issue any information to the Press, I propose that this be done through the normal United Nations channels and in agreement with the two Governments' representatives. If there is no objection, information regarding the time and place of meeting might nevertheless be made available each day to the Press.

I would like to ask whether either of the representatives would make any general comments on the proposals.

Following that, if the representatives agree, I suggest the proposals be examined one by one. I hope that this procedure will be acceptable to the

representatives of the Governments of India and Pakistan.