18111957 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Walker (Australia) in the Security Council Meeting No. 803 held on 18 November 1957

Text of the Speech made by Mr. Walker (Australia) in the Security Council Meeting No. 803 held on 18 November 1957

Since the members of the Council indicated their general views on this question, we have had the opportunity of hearing further statements from the representatives of India and Pakistan. It seems timely, therefore, for the Council to consider what further steps might now profitably be taken. As an expression of our concern over this situation and of our desire to assist the Council in its consideration of it, the Australian delegation has joined with the delegations of Colombia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States in co-sponsoring the joint draft resolution contained in document S/3911. which was introduced this afternoon by the representative of the United States and supported by the representative of the United Kingdom. In view of the very clear explanations given by Mr. Wadsworth and Sir Pierson Dixon, I would wish only to offer, on behalf of the Australian delegation, some brief observations on this draft resolution now before us.

The preambular paragraphs of this draft resolution include several points which seem to us of special importance. First, the Council desires to place on record its appreciation of the assignment performed so ably by Mr Jarring, the representative of Sweden, whose report is the occasion for our meetings at this time. Secondly, the Council records its appreciation of the statements of the parties that they are desirous of co-operating with the United Nations in finding a peaceful solution to this problem. Thirdly, it notes that the Governments of India and Pakistan recognize and accept the commitments undertaken by them in the two resolutions adopted by the Commission for India and Pakistan on 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949. It is on the basis of these two resolutions that the Council's efforts of the past nine years have been guided.

The concluding parts of the preamble express our common concern over the lack of progress and stress the importance of the demilitarisation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir as one of the steps towards a settlement. I think this preamble flows very naturally from the views expressed around. this table.

Now as regards the operative paragraphs, I recognize that neither of the parties will be satisfied. It is natural enough that, after expending such efforts and skill in placing their respective cases before the Council, the parties may feel some disappointment over the operative paragraphs as we have drafted them. But we have to use our own judgement as to what we consider practicable and constructive action by the Council in all the circumstances.

I do not see that either party should object to our operative paragraph 1, though I suppose that each may feel that it has special application to the other. This is, however, solemn. appeal by the Council addressed to both Pakistan and India to assist in creating and maintaining an atmosphere favour to the promotion of further negotiations.

Paragraph 2 touches on the delicate question of the pro gressive implementation of the Commission's resolutions, which both parties have accepted as the framework within which a practical solution of the problem might be found. The Council may recall that on 20 October, I stated that:

" It is a valid concern of the Council to resolve any doubts that may exist whether part I of the resolution of 13 August 1948 remains unimplemented in any respect at this time." [798th meeting, para, 10].

This finds expression both in the first and second operative paragraphs of the draft resolution. We believe that the prospects of progress being made along the lines of the two resolutions adopted by the Commission for India and Pakistan will undoubtedly be improved, if the Council and the two particles can be assured that part I of the 1948 resolution has been fully implemented. Indeed it seems all too clear that without such an assurance there would not be much hope of proceeding rapidly with the implementation of part II, which is the next logical step. As I said in my previous statement, the Australian delegation shares the view.

".. that within the framework of the Commission's resolutions and of the Security Council's own discussions and resolutions on the subject, a further investigation should now be made on whether some progress can be attempted on the problem of demilitarisation in Kashmir." [Ibid., para, 11].

These are the immediate objects of the draft resolution. To help the parties towards them, the Council requests the United Nations Representative for India and Pakistan, Dr. Frank P. Graham, once more to place himself at the service of the Council and calls upon the parties to cooperate with him. Dr. Graham is asked to report to the Council on his efforts as soon as possible. He has been left discretion and flexibility because we have great confidence in his experience and his intimate knowledge of the issues

I would hope that the parties will accept this draft resolution in the spirit in which it is proposed, that is, in the hope and belief that some forward steps on this matter can and should be taken at this time.