19061962 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Riad (United Arab Republic) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1013 held on 19 June 1962

 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Riad (United Arab Republic) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1013 held on 19 June 1962

I have listened with great interest to the statements of both the representatives of India and of Pakistan presenting the point of view of their countries regarding the present question. The Government of the United Arab Republic, as you are all aware, has close and friendly relations with both India and Pakistan. Therefore, it is natural for me to confine my statement at this stage to the aspects which we believe are such as should encourage the two parties to find a way out of the present impasse.

In dealing with delicate and complex questions similar to the one which is before us, the Council should adopt a flexible course of action, with a view to helping the two parties to resume further contacts for the purpose of solving the question peacefully under the aegis of the Charter. The Council, in its wisdom, should exert every effort to seek the endorsement of the two parties in any action which it may take. No useful purpose could be served if the Security Council were to act in a way which might complicate an already sensitive situation. I admit that the question under consideration is not of a kind which could be solved easily or in a short time, but the fact that additional time and effort are needed should not discourage us from deploying all possible means of coping peace fully with this situation.

It is true that the Council has tried very hard to help the parties to reach a solution, but it is equally true that any solution which is not acceptable to the parties will not be a workable solution. The Security Council has specific responsibilities under the Charter in dealing with such questions, but the Charter itself does not say that any specific course should or could be imposed on the parties to a question when a settlement is needed.

So the most important objective is to help the two parties. to resume contacts with a view to reaching a peaceful solution. We have every reason to believe that this is the only advisable course for the Council to follow at the present time and we, in the United Arab Republic, are particularly encouraged by the statements which were made by the representatives of Pakistan and India.

I believe, therefore, that it is perfectly in order if we address ourselves once more to both India and Pakistan especially after they have demonstrated such a high standard of statesmanship and set such a good example of self-restraint throughout the history of the question-appealing to them to continue to exercise the same self-restraint and to display a will to solve their differences through peaceful means.

It is reassuring to listen to the solemn and responsible pledges which were made by the representatives of India and Pakistan declaring that their respective Governments will not resort to the use of force. Statements to this effect are indeed significant and we hope will pave the way to the resumption of negotiations between the Governments of India and Pakistan to reach a final and just solution. This, I take it, could not be done unless the parties endeavoured to create the proper atmosphere necessary for further negotiations. To be able to reach this goal, the parties should refrain from taking any action which might aggravate the situation.

It is clear that the Government of the United Arab Republic does not favour any action which is not acceptable to the two parties and we sincerely hope that the Security Council will not depart from its previous attitude in dealing with this question, namely, that the Council has never tried to impose a solution on the parties, but has always sought to secure the acceptance of the two parties as far as it was feasible. This is the only course which we believe might lead to the resumption of negotiations. Consequently, we could not support any proposal to which a party entertains serious and valid objections.

In concluding, we firmly believe that no course of action should be imposed on one of the parties, and that better results can be achieved if the Council acts with the consent of the parties. This in itself would place greater responsibilities on both India and Pakistan, and the moral obligation entailed in such an action would carry greater weight than any fast and rigid recommendation.

As two great nations with high traditions in Asia, and as faithful Members of the United Nations, both India and Pakistan, I am convinced, will realise the responsibilities which rest on their shoulders. They will not fail, I am sure, to inform the Council at the proper time of the progress which they will have made in seeking an early settlement of this important issue.