Pak objects to no mention of Kashmir in UN list of disputes

Betwa Sharma
United Nations, Nov 15 (PTI) Pakistan has objected to
the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir from a list of disputes
under the observation of the Security Council in a speech made
by UK's top diplomat in an annual debate on UNSC reforms here.
UK holds the presidency of UNSC this month.
"Jammu and Kashmir dispute was not mentioned in the
context of unresolved long-running situations," said Amjad
Hussain B Sial, Pakistan's acting envoy to UN, told the
General Assembly, where the debate was held.
"We understand this was an inadvertent omission, as
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the oldest disputes on agenda of
the Security Council," he added.
Pakistan has been asking the UN to intervene to help
resolve the issue but India has always maintained that it has
to be resolved bilaterally between the two countries.
Speaking earlier at the General Assembly, the UK envoy
to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, said that "some long-running
situations, including in the Middle East, Cyprus and Western
Sahara remain unresolved, as do issues where the Council has
become engaged in recent years, including Nepal and Guinea
Bissau."
"Huge challenges remain in Sudan, Somalia and the
DRC," he added.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had said that the UN
will not intervene in Kashmir issue until requested by both
the parties -- India and Pakistan.
"As far as this role of good offices is concerned, the
United Nations normally takes that initiative when requested
by both parties concerned," Ban said in October.
"India and Pakistan, they are neighbouring countries,
important nations in that region - peace and security would
have important implications," he added.
At the debate in the General Assembly, the UK also
repeated its support to see India on as a permanent member of
the Security Council.
"On the Council's structure, we continue to support
permanent membership for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, as
well as permanent representation for Africa," said Philip
Parham, deputy envoy to UK.
"We look forward to working with many of these
countries next year when they join the Security Council," he
said, referring to the entry of India and Germany on the
Council next year as non-permanent members for a two year
term.
While Japan will leave the Council in 2011, Brazil
will serve out one more year.
The UK representative also suggested "an intermediate
model" of reform, which would create new seats with a longer
mandate than the present two year term. PTI