Pak objects to no mention of Kashmir in UN list of disputes

Pakistan has objected to the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir from a list of disputes under the observation of the Security Council in a speech made by UK's top diplomat in an annual debate on UNSC reforms in New York.

UK holds the presidency of UNSC this month. "Jammu and Kashmir dispute was not mentioned in the context of unresolved long-running situations," said Amjad Hussain B Sial, Pakistan's acting envoy to UN, told the General Assembly, where the debate was held.

"We understand this was an inadvertent omission, as Jammu and Kashmir is one of the oldest disputes on agenda of the Security Council," he added.

Pakistan has been asking the UN to intervene to help resolve the issue but India has always maintained that it has to be resolved bilaterally between the two countries.

Speaking earlier at the General Assembly, the UK envoy to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, said that "some long-running situations, including in the Middle East, Cyprus and Western Sahara remain unresolved, as do issues where the Council has become engaged in recent years, including Nepal and Guinea Bissau."

"Huge challenges remain in Sudan, Somalia and the DRC," he added. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had said that the UN will not intervene in Kashmir issue until requested by both the parties -- India and Pakistan.

"As far as this role of good offices is concerned, the United Nations normally takes that initiative when requested by both parties concerned," Ban said in October.

"India and Pakistan, they are neighbouring countries, important nations in that region -- peace and security would have important implications," he added.

At the debate in the General Assembly, the UK also repeated its support to see India on as a permanent member of the Security Council.

"On the Council's structure, we continue to support permanent membership for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, as well as permanent representation for Africa," said Philip Parham, deputy envoy to UK.

"We look forward to working with many of these countries next year when they join the Security Council," he said, referring to the entry of India and Germany on the Council next year as non-permanent members for a two year term.

While Japan will leave the Council in 2011, Brazil will serve out one more year. The UK representative also suggested "an intermediate model" of reform, which would create new seats with a longer mandate than the present two year term.