October 24, 2000
Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said Pakistan was ready to fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Security Council resolutions on settling the Kashmir dispute with India. While speaking at celebrations here marking the 55th anniversary of the United Nations he said that the UN mandate to maintain peace and security in the world called for "measures to prevent and remove the threats to peace".
"The agreed principle for the settlement of the Kashmir question is explicitly stated in the resolutions of the Security Council," The foreign minister said. "The implementation of that principle will lead to the establishment of a durable peace and beneficial cooperation in our region," he added.
He said,"faithful to the provisions of the (UN) Charter, Pakistan remains prepared to implement our obligations that is incumbent on every member."
Pakistan holds that the United Nations can be and should be made more effective in fulfillment of its pledge to maintain international peace and security. That calls for measures to prevent and remove the threats to peace.
The foreign minister said the UN Charter entrusts the members with the obligations to bring about a settlement of international disputes in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. "We have experienced the consequences of the failure to bring about a settlement of the Kashmir question."
He said the long-running dispute had led to wars in the past and remained the root-cause of tensions in the region. He added, "We appreciate the services of the United Nations and its specialized agencies who have rendered services to Pakistan and our people over decades in the fields of health, education, humanitarian relief and economic and social development."
The Foreign Minister said the 55th anniversary of the United Nations coincides with the Millennium transition, which was marked by the summit level meeting of the UN General Assembly. He said Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf, who spoke during the Millennium Summit, had joined the world leaders in pledging that Pakistan would spare no effort to make the United Nations a more effective instrument for pursuing the agreed priorities of the world community.
Mr. Sattar said Pakistan had experienced the consequences of failure to bring about settlement of Kashmir dispute, which remains the root cause of tension today.
