Text of the Speech made by Mr. Vejvoda (Czechoslovakia) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1115 held on 12 May 1964

Text of the Speech made by Mr. Vejvoda (Czechoslovakia) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1115 held on 12 May 1964

When the Council discussed the India-Pakistan question, which is now on our agenda, in February 1964, all of us shared the possibility of learning in detail the present state of the problems as well as the points of view of the two parties concerned. The Czechoslovak delegation studied all the aspects of the problems which might come up for consideration, and came to the conclusion that the substance of the dispute existing between the two Asian countries which were so close to each other resides in the remnants of the past. Speaking on the character of the disputes between India and Pakistan and on the possibility of their solution, our Ambassador, Mr. Hajek, declared at the meeting of the Security Council on 14 February 1964:

"...it can basically be regarded as a relic of the problem created for the people of the Indian subcontinent by the former colonialist regime, this dispute can be settled only by these people themselves." [1091 st meeting, para. 26.]

The method of peaceful solution of disputes among States, in particular of such disputes as have remained as a sad legacy of the defeated colonial system, has been increasingly put to use in modern times and has become firmly rooted in international practice. This trend has been particularly strengthened since the presentation by the Soviet Union of the draft treaty on the peaceful solution of territorial disputes which received a favourable reception and positive support all over the world, and above all by the absolute majority of the Member States of the United Nations. On various occasions we meet an increasingly growing opinion that the solution of existing disputes through direct negotiations among the States question offers the best way for the liquidation of this legacy of the past.

We are aware of the fact that this method requires a good deal of patience, perseverance and goodwill. A number of minor problems may be very delicate and complex. However, if a sufficient amount of goodwill appears on either side, if factors producing unnecessary difficulties are removed, if a sincere wish to reach understanding and mutual harmony prevails over intolerance and hostility, then even the most complex problems may be solved in a satisfactory manner. An example of such an approach may also be seen in the question on our agenda. This question has recently produced some factors which added further to our belief that the final solution of the rest of the questions in dispute between India and Pakistan has made a good and hopeful start. A favourable factor has doubtlessly been the liberation of Sheikh Abdullah in accordance with the decision taken by Indian authorities on 8 April 1964. In connection with that, a suggestion has been submitted to consider whether the Council should use the procedure provided for in article 39 of the provisional rules of procedure. We studied that suggestion and weighed all its aspects. We have come to the conclusion that the use of that procedure would not be appropriate.

We consider it very important that India and Pakistan, since our last talks, have continued their discussions at a high and responsible level. We have been informed that those discussions will be resumed during the course of this month. The Minister of Education, Mr. Chagla, in his statement in the Security Council on 7 May, mentioned the report by The Pakistan Times of 25 April 1964. He said inter alia:

"The Pakistan Home Minister said that in spite of serious obstacles the meeting of the Home Ministers was quite a success, as the two Governments succeeded in settling about 90 per cent of the points necessary to restore communal harmony and peaceful atmosphere." [1113th meeting, para. 44.].

Discussions actually took place; they were not unsuccessful, and that is why they were continued. That is also what the majority of the members of the Council had in mind during the negotiations in February. We consider direct discussions on questions in dispute, without conditions one way of another, between India and Pakistan to be the only useful and beneficial way. It does not seem to us that, for the time being, the strengthening of favourable conditions for the discussions could be helped if the Council urged a third element to be included in the bilateral negotiations. The parties to the problem have entered into negotiations, and they will continue their discussions in a few days. They themselves know best the substance of the problems, and that is why they alone can find the best solution. We are not impatient. We believe that in future they will be even more successful than ever before.

To ensure a successful continuation of negotiations, the parties concerned have to promote a favourable atmosphere in regard to the actual situation. It is not possible to omit all historical aspects as well as consequences of the recent political development. We proceed from the fact that within the scope of the constitutional arrangement that enabled the will of the Kashmir population to be expressed, the question of the home rule position of Kashmir has been solved. In this connection I should like to recall the statement made by our Prime Minister at a Press conference in Calcutta on 14 April 1958. When asked by a correspondent, our Prime Minister answered inter alia :

"I consider the Kashmir question to be settled. It was done so in accordance with the will of the Kashmir people. I regard Kashmir as an integral part of the Republic of India."

It will be to the benefit of world progress and will strengthen international security and peace if, in the area concerned, the forces that stand firmly on the position of peace, freedom, and independence of nations, as well as of peaceful coexistence are further strengthened, and a peaceful solution of disputes is consistently promoted. We believe that the strengthening of those forces is also beneficial to the proper development of the people of the Indian subcontinent, for whom the Czechoslovak people have always maintained very friendly relations. The Czechoslovak people sincerely wish that these relations be promoted in the future as well.