NEW DELHI: Pakistan withdrew its resolution at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in Geneva’ Voluntarily and unconditionally resulting in the automatic lapse of tie resolution Foreign Secretary K’ Srinivasan said at a Press conterende last week.

‘The question of a visit by a group of ambassadors from Muslim countries to Jammu and Kashmir Was not linked to the withdrawal of the resolution according to the foreign Secretary as four envoys (Senegal Indonesia Turkey and Nigeria) from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) were already touring the State as part of the group of the 10-member Ambassadorial team

India wanted an early vote (on the resolution) to bring it to conclusion since it was confident of Victory but Iran supported by Pakistan asked for a postponement of the vote with Pakistan later withdrawing its resolution. Let me be candid about it Pakistan was looking for a way out was the Foreign Secretary’s comment ‘on the last-minute developments in Geneva.

India had sought and received a Clarification from the UNCHR Secretariat that the Pakistani resolution would not be on the agenda in the next session Srinivasan said. Pakistan would need to start the Process again de novo if it wanted the resolution in the next session he added.

The clarification was sought because of the confusion created by the Iranian delegate’s remark that Pakistan bad agreed that the resolution be deferred to another session. The clarification was to our satisfaction The Iranian statement is not binding on us it was made at Iran’s own initiative the Foreign Secretary said.

Srinivasan expressed the Government’s gratitude to the Iranian and Chinese delegations for their efforts in persuading Pakistan to withdraw its resolution. Regarding Iran’s statement on exerting all courts to find a solution to the Kashmir question Srinivasan said it did not constitute mediation we are not bound by a unilateral statement by any country.

If Iran wished to use its good Offices to persuade Pakistan to create the atmosphere for a bilateral dialogue we shall have no objections But that is for them (Iran) to decide and for Pakistan to heed.

Srinivasan expressed the hope that failure of the three successive attempts by Pakistan 10 introduce draft resolution in UN bodies would induce them to believe in the more constructive path of re solving differences of opinion and would embark on a sincere bilateral dialogue. I was the Government’s intention a  respond to the Pakistan responses to the six Indian non-papers in a constructive manner and reiterate our readiness to  continue the inter government dialogue he added.

However responding to a question Srinivasan agreed that it was a strong possibility that Pakistan would continue to internationalize its difference of opinion with India. But India would continue to counter it in a professional manner he added. Representatives of 15 countries Made statements last week at the Human Rights Commission asking Pakistan to withdraw its resolution. Five countries including Australia Mauritius Malawi. Mexico and Brazil had specifically mentioned that it was important for India and Pakistan to continue a dialogue on bilateral level responding to the criticism about the strength of the Indian delegation at Geneva the Foreign Secretary said he was not sure the Criticism is not justified. With hind Sight it is difficult to say whether the delegation was too large or too small But they did a very good job.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 18, 1994