24011957 Text of the Speech made by Mr, Sobolev (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) in the Security Council Meeting No. 765 held on 24 January 1957

 Text of the Speech made by Mr, Sobolev (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) in the Security Council Meeting No. 765 held on 24 January 1957

The Security Council is once again discussing what is called the Kashmir question. As we know, this question first came before the Security Council more than nine years ago, when it was raised in connection with the defence of the people of Kashmir against the hostile activities of certain tribesmen from the territory of Pakistan and later against the activities of regular Pakistan troops.

Subsequently, during the discussion of the Kashmir question in the Security Council the original intention had ceased to be stressed. The attention of the Security Council was, unfortunately, later focused, not on finding a solution of the Kashmir question through a direct agreement between the parties, but on the organisation of a plebiscite, the supervision and interference from outside.

The Soviet Union has always maintained and still maintains an impartial and objective attitude to the Kashmir question, bearing in mind the principles of democracy and the need to strengthen friendly relations between the peoples of that area. The Kashmir question did not arise among the Kashmir people themselves. It was created nearly nine years ago, by certain Powers which are using every means in their endeavour to foment discord between countries striving for their national freedom and independence. The position of these Powers on the Kashmir issue was determined, not by any desire to settle that question in a manner corresponding to the interests of the Kashmir people themselves and of the peoples of India and Pakistan. These Powers were guided primarily by their own interests which were aimed at penetration into this region as one of great strategic importance. Such a policy is, of course in complete contradiction to the real interests of the Kashmir people who are striving towards a peaceful and constructive existence and have no desire to be the plaything of imperialist States.

It was natural that, in an effort to put an end to the uncertainty of their position and to stabilise the political situation, the Kashmir people should, in 1951, have elected a Constituent Assembly which adopted a series of important laws including that of February 1954 confirming the union of the State of Jammu and Kashmir with India. On 17 November 1956, the Kashmir Constituent Assembly adopted the State Constitution according to which the State would enjoy the right of self-government within the Republic of India. The Kashmir question was thus settled by the Kashmir people themselves to be an inalienable part of the Republic of India. The Security Council cannot disregard these facts.

The delegation of the Soviet Union feels compelled to observe that the draft resolution submitted by the delegations of the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Colombia and Cuba actually fails to take account of the real situation in Kashmir and to some extent casts doubt on the fact that the Kashmir question has already been settled in accordance with the expressed wishes of the Kashmir people themselves.

The draft resolution before us is based on the Security Council resolution of 30 March 1951. You may remember that, even then, the Soviet Union opposed the resolution on the grounds that it was from the start unacceptable to one of the parties to the dispute and could not therefore, serve as a basis for the settlement of the questions at issue between India and Pakistan, Now again an attempt is being made to reaffirm the provisions of that Council resolution, in complete disregard of the radical changes which have taken place in Kashmir since that time.

The delegation of the Soviet Union sees no particular use in adopting a further resolution to which one of the parties to the dispute is opposed. It is this consideration which is determining the Soviet Union delegation's attitude to the draft resolution before the Council.

With regard to the disagreements still existing between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir question, they should, in our view, finally be settled by peaceful negotiation between the two sides, without outside interference. The Security Council, for its part, should facilitate the conclusion of a peaceful settlement of this question and should urge the two sides to settle outstanding disagreements through bilateral negotiations.