51. Editorial Note

On February 20, Australia, Cuba, the United Kingdom, and the United States submitted another draft resolution to the Security Council concerning the Kashmir dispute. It noted Pakistan’s proposal for the use of a temporary United Nations force to aid in the demilitarization of Kashmir and stated that the use of such a force [Page 127] deserved consideration. In addition, the draft resolution requested the President of the Security Council, Gunnar V. Jarring of Sweden, to visit the subcontinent to examine with the Governments of India and Pakistan proposals which, in his opinion, would help to bring about demilitarization or further the settlement of the dispute. Although the proposal received nine votes in its favor, the Soviet Union vetoed the resolution. (U.N. doc. S/3792 and Corr. 1)

Following the rejection of the four-power draft resolution, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States submitted a somewhat different version of that proposal. Excluding all mention of a United Nations force, the new draft resolution called upon the Council to request its President to visit the subcontinent, explore the possibility for a settlement of the Kashmir dispute with India and Pakistan, and report to the Council no later than April 15, 1957. On February 21, the three-power draft resolution was adopted by the Security Council by a vote of 10 to 0, with 1 abstention (the Soviet Union). (U.N. doc. S/3793)