August 8, 2003
Pakistan has called for United Nations role of mediation and facilitation in Jammu and Kashmir also, on the pattern of the one placed by the U.N. in the case of Bougainville.
Ambassador Masood Khalid said this while addressing the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Bougainville. In this behalf, he praised the role played by the Government of Papua New Guinea, particularly, towards "courageous decisions and strong commitment to peace."
The Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations said: "I cannot but help expressing the wish that the very successful role of mediation and facilitation played by the United Nations in Bougainville could also be replicated in another - albeit far more long-standing and dangerous - dispute which also remains on the Security Council's agenda." And, he referred to the issue of "enabling the exercise of the right of self-determination" by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the resolutions of the Council.
Ambassador Masood Khalid said Pakistan supports the work of the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville, and appreciates the efforts of all the parties which have worked to seek, facilitate and implement a peaceful solution to the conflict in that territory. Pakistan, he said, appreciates in particular the Government of Papua New Guinea's "courageous decisions and strong commitment to peace- which has been "crucial to the success of the peace process."
Following is the full text of Ambassador Masood Khalid's statement:
"Mr. President,
I would like to thank Ambassador Sinclair for his briefing on the situation in Bougainville. I would also like to welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Papua New Guinea at this table.
2. Pakistan supports the work of the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville, and appreciated the efforts of all the parties which have worked to seek, facilitate and implement a peaceful solution to the conflict in that territory. We appreciate in particular the Government of Papua New Guinea's courageous decisions and strong commitment to peace. This has been crucial to the success of the peace process.
3. We welcome the completion and verification of Stage II of the weapons disposal plan under UNPOB's supervision, which took place last month. This was a crucial step in triggering the constitutional process. This process will then clear the way for elections for an autonomous government in Bougainville in 2004, as well as the eventual holding of a referendum, in which the people of Bougainville will exercise their right of self-determination, in accordance with the provisions of the Lincoln and Arawa Agreements.
4. Pakistan strongly supports this path, which the parties have courageously agreed to follow. However, more still needs to be done to encourage groups, which remain outside the peace process, to join it. Peace is the only solution and this process, painstaking though it is, still remains its best guarantor. However, to sustain peace, it is crucial to promote and sustain socio-economic development. The two are indivisible. Therefore, we urge the donor community to contribute generously not for the financing of the peace process but also in promoting long-term socio-economic development in an area that so badly needs it.
5. Pakistan regards the mandate of the United Nations Peace Office in Bougainville, which expires at the end of this year, as crucial for building peace as well as trust in that territory. We hope that the United Nations role in Bougainville will not end with the expiry of UNPOB's mandate and the United Nations will continue to work there and to stay the course in facilitating the full implementation of the peace process.
6. In conclusion, Mr. President, I cannot but help expressing the wish that the very successful role of mediation and facilitation played by the United Nations in Bougainville could also be replicated in another - albeit far more long-standing and dangerous - dispute which also remains on the Security Council's agenda. i.e the issue of enabling the exercise of the right of self-determination by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the resolutions of this Council.
I thank you, Mr. President"
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