The Press WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1965. U Thant’s Task

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 16

The Press WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1965. U Thant’s Task

The disparity between the terms set by Pakistan and India for the settlement of the Kashmir dispute is a measure of the task of conciliation shouldered by the Secretary-General of the United Nations (U Thant). By calling for the withdrawal of troops from Kashmir by both sides and for a plebiscite within three months. Pakistan recalls the promise made first by Mr Nehru in 1947. India had just accepted the accession of Kashmir from the Hindu ruler and had sent troops to quell Moslem raiders who were supposed to have the support of Pakistan. In a radio broadcast, Mr Nehru said: “ We are pre- “ pared, when peace and law and order have been “ established, to have a referendum held under inter- “ national auspices like the United Nations However reasonable the Pakistan proposal may seem, it is now far removed from India’s attitude over the last 10 years or more. As a step towards stopping the fighting, it is the less promising of the two proposals.

India has demanded the withdrawal of all Pakistani forces from Kashmir and is closer to the situation prevailing before the present outbreak of fighting. It is hard to see how the United Nations would guarantee a peace within the terms set by Kashmir’s Chief Minister, who opposes the presence of any foreign troops. But, at least, U Thant has room for negotiation here. Whatever final solution may be found, the first objective is to halt the war between India and Pakistan. While it continues, no final solution is likely to be reached, and the two countries can only endure much unnecessary suffering and diminish their military and economic resources. Since U Thant arrived in New Delhi there nave been hints that India’s leaders are ready to accept a solution to the problem of stopping the war. The denial of reports of a cease-fire plan does not exhaust hope that good sense will soon prevail. Prospects of a plebiscite favouring union with Pakistan are said to be declining as thoughts of many Kashmiris turn towards independence. India has already had to defend the northern frontier against Chinese incursions and for this reason alone is reluctant to withdraw from a rich and strategically placed area with such powerful neighbours as China and Russia. Even if withdrawal from Kashmir were not likely to encourage independence movements in some India states, and even without the religious element in the dispute, the contest over the control of Kashmir would be keen.