Text of the Letters dated 19 September 1941 from the Chairman of the Commission Mr. R.B. Macatee addressed to the Secretary-General, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and to the Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Government of Pakistan, regarding arbitration (UN Document No. S/AC. 12/268)

Text of the Letters dated 19 September 1941 from the Chairman of the Commission Mr. R.B. Macatee addressed to the Secretary-General, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and to the Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Government of Pakistan, regarding arbitration (UN Document No. S/AC. 12/268)

LETTER TO INDIA

The Commission has the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 15 September 1949 (annex 39) in answer to the Commission's letter of 10 September (annex 38) concerning the suggestion for arbitration contained in the Commission's memorandum delivered to you on 30 August (annex 35).

In the light of that letter and your Excellency's letter of 8 September 1949 (annex 36), the Commission understands that the Government of India is unable to accept the course of action suggested in that memorandum.

In these circumstances the Commission has decided, under its terms of reference, to report to the Security Council its activities on the sub-continent since its last interim report.

The Commission intends to leave the sub-continent in the very near future. The Military Adviser and the Military Observers will, of course, remain and pursue their normal activities. Before the Commission leaves, it hopes to have the pleasure of calling on your Excellency to express its appreciation for the courtesy extended to it during its stay on the sub-continent.

(Signed) R.B. Macatee Chairman

LETTER TO PAKISTAN

The Commission has the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's letter of 7 September 1949 (annex 37) concerning the suggestion for arbitration contained in the memorandum handed to the Pakistan Foreign Minister on 29 August 1949 (annex 35).

The Commission notes with satisfaction that your Government has agreed to the course of action proposed by the Commission in paragraph 5 of that memorandum.

The Commission has also received an answer from the Indian Government (annex 36) to an identical memorandum handed to Sir Girja Bajpai, Secretary-General, Government of India. It appears from this answer that the Government of India is unable to accept the course of action suggested.

In these circumstances, the Commission has decided, under its terms of reference, to report to the Security Council on its activities on the sub-continent since its last interim report.

The Commission intends to leave the sub-continent in the very near future. The Military Adviser and the Military Observers will, of course, remain and pursue their normal activities.

Before the Commission leaves it hopes to have the pleasure of calling on your Excellency's Government to express its appreciation for the courtesy extended to it during its stay on the subcontinent.

(Signed) R. B. Macatee

Chairman