Pak underscores need to resolve Kashmir dispute

UNITED NATIONS—Stating that there was no alternative to the principle of self-determination in the process of de-colonization, Pakistan on Wednesday underscored the need for settling the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute with India. Speaking in the UN General Assembly’s Decolonization Committee, Pakistan’s delegate Asim Iftikhar Ahmad renewed the call to give hope for peace to the Kashmiri people in their legitimate quest for self-determination.
“For that it is essential to find a just solution of the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, acceptable to Pakistan, India and, above all, to the people of Kashmir,” he said as the committee opened a general debate on decolonization questions. “Towards that end, Pakistan remains committed to the Composite Dialogue with India in the interest of peace and prosperity in our region,” the Pakistan delegate added.Asim Iftikhar Ahmad also said that Pakistan remained steadfast in its support to the just struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination, freedom and peace.
Most speakers in the debate, noting that the Second International Decade on the Eradication of Colonialism — 2001-2010 — was now at its midpoint, welcomed progress made on the issue of self-determination of the people of Tokelau and focused on the question of Western Sahara. The representative of New Zealand, the administering power in Tokelau, announced that, following approval of a draft treaty and supporting documents before the New Zealand cabinet, a referendum in Tokelau was expected to be held next month. If the outcome was favourable, it was expected that Tokelau could become self-governing in the second quarter of 2006. The voting paper proposed that Tokelau become a self-governing State in free association with New Zealand, and it invited voters to indicate their agreement with, or rejection of, that proposal. It was the wish of Tokelau, supported by New Zealand, that the United Nations monitor the referendum.
In his speech, the Pakistan delegate said that the eradication of colonialism had been and continued to be one of the main priorities of the United Nations, but the agenda was not yet complete and a number of outstanding challenges had been pointed out in the report of the Special Committee. Pakistan supported the view of the Chairman that the second half of this Decade must be concentrated on implementation. That would entail action and cooperation at all levels - by the peoples of the Territories, the administering Powers, the international community and the United Nations system as a whole.
The Pakistan delegate said it was the responsibility of the administering Powers to create conditions in the Territories that would enable their people to exercise freely and without interference their inalienable right to self-determination. Specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the United Nations must also increase their assistance to the Territories, as called for in relevant resolutions.

—APP