Text of the Speech made by Mr. Chun-Ming Chang (China) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1249 held on 28 October 1965

Text of the Speech made by Mr. Chun-Ming Chang (China) in the Security Council Meeting No. 1249 held on 28 October 1965

I wish to make a few brief remarks at the present stage of our proceedings. Before I do so, let me extend the congratulations of my delegation to you, Mr. President, on your assumption of this high office. With your long record of public service in your own country, and with your vast experience in international affairs, we are confident that under your guidance the Council will be able to bring about peace on the subcontinent. It is to be regretted that the withdrawal of troops called for by the Council's resolutions has not been implemented and that violations of the cease-fire continue to take place. If the situation is allowed to deteriorate, there is the possibility that fighting on a large scale will be resumed, with frightful consequences for all concerned.

It is fair to not that as far as the cease-fire is concerned there is a large measure of agreement. What has made the implementation of the Council's resolutions so difficult is that the atmosphere of suspicion, fear and mistrust continue to poison the relations between India and Pakistan. So long as this is the case, violations of the cease-fire will continue, withdrawal of troops will be delayed, and progress towards a final solution of the Kashmir question will not be possible.

It is therefore the clear duty of the Security Council to reaffirm its determination to bring about an effective cease-fire and to demand the speedy withdrawal of troops. My delegation endorses the proposal of the Secretary-General [see S/6719/Add. 2, para. 4] for a meeting of the representatives of India and Pakistan with a representative of the Secretary General for the formulation of an agreed plan and schedule for the withdrawal of the armed forces of both parties. We hope that such a meeting will take place as soon as possible. We also hope that both India and Pakistan will cooperate with the Secretary-General in such a manner as to make the meeting a success. I believe all of us are agreed that in order to achieve a durable peace in the subcontinent a solution to the political problems will be required. But unless calm and reason prevail, there is no hope for an eventual political settlement of the Kashmir question.

In this connection, my delegation believes that the actions taken by the Secretary-General to give effect to the Council's resolutions have not been inconsistent with the mandate given to him by this Council. Whatever reservations we may have in regard to the Secretary-General's role in certain political areas, we have no reason to think that he has, in the present case, exceeded his authority.