23081950--179  Text of the Letter dated 23 August 1950 from the United Nations Representative for India and Pakistan Mr. Owen Dixon to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan

23081950--179  Text of the Letter dated 23 August 1950 from the United Nations Representative for India and Pakistan Mr. Owen Dixon to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan

It appears to me that independently of any determination of the question of the destination of the State of Jammu and Kashmir or of any part of it, an obligation rests upon both the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to make a mutual reduction of the armed forces of the respective countries in the territory of that State, so as to remove the danger to peace which must continue while the two armies face each other across a cease-fire line.

I have found it impossible to bring about any agreement upon the substantive dispute between the two Governments, whether that dispute be regarded as one concerning the taking of a plebiscite by which the inhabitants will settle the fate of the State, or more widely as one concerning the fate of the State. But in my opinion that is no reason why the two countries should continue to maintain opposing armies in positions separated only by a cease-fire line. The line may be sufficiently kept by check-posts and such other measures as are commonly adopted upon an inland frontier between two countries at peace for the purpose of preventing or controlling entry and exit. Nothing but a common plan of military character is needed to bring about such a state of affairs. It appears to me to be entirely a military matter to be arranged between the Chiefs of Staff of the two countries.

I, therefore, have the honour to request that you will join with the Government of [Pakistan] [India] in causing a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of the two countries to be held for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for bringing about the required change in the manner in which the cease-fire line is held and reducing accordingly the military forces now serving in the State of Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of the respective countries. I request that this meeting should be held within a fortnight.

(Signed) Owen Dixon

United Nations Representative for India and Pakistan