20061962 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Schweitzer (Chile) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1014 held on 20 June 1962

 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Schweitzer (Chile) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1014 held on 20 June 1962

Last January, when the Government of Pakistan asked the Security Council to meet again to take up the question of Kashmir, there seemed to be an urgent need to resume our consideration of that complex and long-standing problem, to which so many efforts have been devoted since its first appearance towards the end of 1947.

Five months have gone by and we can say with satisfaction that, although the threats to peace and security have not disappeared, they are not so alarming as they seemed and that the present debate has produced one positive result of great significance we have been able to hear, both from the Minister for Defence of India and from the representative of Pakistan, that their Governments will not resort to force to settle their differences. That is a solemn commitment which reveals the willingness of both Governments to fulfil their obligations as Members of the United Nations and refrain from the threat or use of force. The Council can now face this item on its agenda relieved of the great anxiety with which it reconvened

to consider it. Nevertheless, it would have been desirable to note some progress in so long and difficult a controversy.

The representatives of both Pakistan and India have informed us at great length of their position on the question, which has increased in complexity and difficulty during the long period since the Council first took it up. There is an abundance of documentation, consisting of successive resolutions and reports on the question. The special commission set up to deal with the problem has ceased to exist, but there is still the representatives appointed by the Council and the military observer group; no progress has been made, however, beyond the cease fire, and the truce agreement marking out the definitive military occupation line has not been concluded. Many agreements for the holding of a plebiscite, which the Council has repeatedly held to be the manner in which the question should be settled, have been held up by discrepancies; divergent interpretations and various other difficulties, so much so that today nothing is left but the principles set forth in the resolutions and agreements which both parties have supported. The system which was conceived for putting them into practice is now inoperative.

To catalogue the difficulties which have arisen does not appear to be a suitable approach to a solution of the problem, this Council's basic task, because it might serve to exacerbate feelings and to aggravate the existing tension, and thus defeat its purpose. If this Council were not what it is, an essentially political body rather than a court of law, its task would perhaps be easier, for it would merely have to consider the background and arrive at a verdict. Its function, however, is to prevent problems from getting any worse, and to maintain international peace and security, bringing calm to a region agitated by passions of every sort, where the situation can become even more critical if it is not approached with deliberation, caution and discretion.

My Government, which maintains harmonious and friendly relations with both the countries affected by this question, has therefore striven to adopt an impartial and dis passionate attitude, doing all in its power to help to reduce the difficulties and to find a solution compatible with the interests at stake and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter,

In my Government's view, that solution would consist in a resumption of direct talks between the two countries with a view to finding a formula upon which they can agree for the settlement of the dispute. We are firmly convinced that in cases such as this, if a solution is to give results, it must not be imposed but must arise from the wishes of the contending parties.

Such talks can be expected to give the desired results if the parties undertake them with a sincere desire to reach a solution. We do not doubt that this will be the case, although we understand that in disputes of this kind, prolonged in time and complicated by various subsequent events, the greatest virtue lies in preserving patience. It seems to us, moreover, that the way to make those talks productive might be by the provision of such impartial aid as those concerned might accept, or that the United Nations could supply, if the need. arose.

Also of fundamental importance in this matter is the creation of an atmosphere conducive to the fruitful development of such negotiations. To that end, it would be necessary for both Governments to strive to adopt such prudent and discreet measures as might calm the atmosphere of the dispute, and to refrain, during the negotiation, from statements that might impede their progress and from actions which might aggravate the existing situation instead of alleviating it.

Our attitude is determined by the conviction that this Council should help the parties to find a peaceful means of settling their dispute, and in view of the lack of progress in the search for an effective solution we feel that such a means can rapidly be found through direct negotiations. The Charter of the United Nations outlines many methods for achieving peaceful solutions.

We cannot show the world a Security Council powerless before this problem. It would be easy for us to show our authority, if that proved necessary. But I would stress that there is no question of that; rather must be demonstrate our ability to prevent a problem that has been lying dormant from once more becoming acute, upsetting the peace that has been achieved and maintained during all the years of the conflict.

We appeal to the consciences of both parties, confident that they will be willing to show by their actions what we have been led to expect from the promises made during the debate. We believe that this Council, as on earlier occasions, will be able to point the way whereby both parties may reach a final solution of the problem, which would relieve and gladden the peoples concerned and the whole world..