20101965 Text of the Speech made by Mr. Goldberg (United States of America) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1247 held on 25 October 1965

Text of the Speech made by Mr. Goldberg (United States of America) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1247 held on 25 October 1965

It has been apparent for a long time, and it is apparent today, that the problem of India and Pakistan is a grave one. It is a difficult one. It is difficult in all its aspects, and certainly our procedural difficulty today was an illustration of this. I asked for brief period for consultation-not an unusual thing, as I have discovered in my brief experience in the Security Council-so that we could confer together to see whether or not, in a friendly and amicable way, the procedural difficulty which had arisen could be resolved. It was not intended in any way to interfere with the provisional rules of procedure, but only so that I could myself have an opportunity to task to some of my colleagues and some of the parties concerned. It is helpful to me to hear all the parties on every aspect of their problems and we have been doing this ever since the proceedings began. I understood your ruling, Mr. President, when you approved the agenda. We were to meet here today to consider the problems of cease-fire and withdrawal. I also understand the long line of unbroken precedents according to which we always hear everything that anybody has to say, and we respect the right of free speech, not only of members of the Council, but also of any body who appears before this body at our invitation.

I am respectful both of the subject which is before the Council and of the tradition of the Council. For my part, bearing that in mind, I am prepared to hear anything which the representative of Pakistan has to say and, I might add, anything which the representative of India has to say.