Text of the Speech made by Mr. Aka (Ivory Coast) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1242 held on 20 September 1965

Text of the Speech made by Mr. Aka (Ivory Coast) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1242 held on 20 September 1965

During the six weeks of the conflict between India and Pakistan many efforts have been made at various levels to restore peace between these two neighbours, these two great Members of the United Nations. A special tribute must, however, be paid to the efforts made by the Secretary-General since the outbreak of hostilities and to the vigilance and the impartial and tireless endeavours of the Council, which, on two occasions-on 4 and 6 September 1965-called upon the parties concerned to order an immediate cease-fire. Unfortunately, the underlying problems and the passions they arouse, together with all the resentment that has accumulated since the hostilities began, have made it impossible to implement resolutions 209 (1965) and 210 (1965), adopted by the Council on 4 and 6 September 1965.

Nevertheless, whatever justification there may be for feeling of vengeance and of injured national honour, experience shows that vengeance engenders vengeance, that hate engenders hate, and that nothing can be settled in an atmosphere of unbridled passion.

It was therefore necessary and urgent to bring the hostilities to an end, unconditionally and without delay, in order to spare those lives which could still be saved and in order to work out, by peaceful means, a solution to the problem of Kashmir, which is the bone of contention between India and Pakistan, because it is certainly not beyond human ingenuity, and particularly the ingenuity of the two parties involved, to compose the differences.

To meet this need, the Council adopted resolution 209 (1965) and 210 (1965). The Ivory Coast voted in favour of them, and has for the same reason just voted for the draft resolution submitted by the Netherlands, because it does not wish to miss any opportunity of cooperation in humanitarianism. and peace-keeping endeavours.

We therefore wish our vote to be understood thus and we think that this new resolution which the Council has adopted will secure the cooperation of the parties concerned, which have, on many occasions, shown their love for and faith in the United Nations and peace. We also have in mind, however what the United Nations ought to do, as quickly as possible, to help India and Pakistan to reach, by peaceful means, a solution to the Kashmir problem which divides them and which has only too often been a source of world-wide anxiety.

I am not saying that in the form of an ultimatum. I am saying it as I am in honour bound to respect the very purposes of the Charter. In leaving the United Nations, Pakistan will be fulfilling the Charter. And then one-third or more of the world will be outside this Organization, and some countries which call themselves States will be members of the Security Council.