Text of the Speech made by Mr. Lodge (United States of America) in the Security Council Meeting No. 774 held on 21 February 1957

Text of the Speech made by Mr. Lodge (United States of America) in the Security Council Meeting No. 774 held on 21 February 1957

Mr. President, the United States appreciates your willingness to accept the assignment that the Security Council has asked you to undertake. We hope that your understanding of the peoples of India and Pakistan and your experience in the United Nations will enable you to make some real progress towards solving this dispute.

We think that the resolution which has just been adopted will give you enough scope and enough guidance. The consensus of the Council on the major problems involved was expressed in the draft resolution [S/3787] which failed at the 773rd meeting only because of the Soviet veto. It would have been more satisfactory if the specific ideas embodied in the four-Power draft resolution could have been kept, but the resolution that the Council has now adopted does not retreat from those ideas. Nor are the facts changed by the Soviet veto. You are authorised to consider any proposals which might help solve the problem, having regard to the pertinent resolutions. We trust that your mission will be of great help to India and Pakistan as well as to the Council.

The fact that you will be able to draw upon the extensive experience and the ability of Mr. Frank F. Graham - who, may I say, has just made a noteworthy statement-should make it possible for you to function effectively in a short period. Mr. Graham will be able to make a contribution which, it seems to us, no one else could make. The Council is lucky that he is available to help, and we appreciate his offer of cooperation.