KASHMIR

Location

Heart of Asia, with historical links to both South and Central Asia. Surrounded by Pakistan, Afganistan, China and India

Area

86,000 square miles, more than three times the size of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg combined. Larger than 87 soverign countries.

Population

13 million (estimate) including 1.5 million refugees in Pakistan and 0.4 million expatriates. Bigger than 114 independent nations.

Status

Historically independent, except in the anarchial conditions of the late 18th and the first half of the 19th century or when incorporated in the vast empires set up by the Mauryas (3rd century BC), the Mughals (16th to 18th centuries) and the British (mid-19th to mid-20th centuries). All these empires included not only present day India and Pakistan but other countries as well. The British transfered control over the territory by a sale deed called the Treaty of Amritsar (1846) to a feudal chieftain (the Maharajah) in return for a sum of money.

Cause of Dispute

India's claim that Kashmir is Indian territory is based on nothing more than an Instrument of Accession signed by the Maharajah in order to obtain India's military help against a popular insurgency. This accession was conditional on a reference to a popular vote (not yet held) under impartial auspices. The Indian claim is rejected by the people of Kashmir, and challenged by Pakistan. It has never been accepted by the United Nations, nor legally validated.

Solution

Demilitarization of Kashmir (through withdrawal of all outside forces) followed immediately by a plebiscite under impartial control to determine the future status of Kashmir.

Great Power Policies

When the dispute was first brought to the United Nations, the Security Council, with the firm backing of the United Staes, urged the solution described above. At the time, the Soviet Union did not dissent from it. Later, because of the Cold War, the Soviet Union blocked every Resolution of the Security Council calling for implementation of the settlement plan.

Likely Possibillities

Only two. Either ascertaining the wishes of the people about their future and acting accordingly or the continuance of the status quo with violent repression and carnage in the India-occupied part and chronic conflict and the danger of war in the Subcontinent of South Asia.

Present Situation

Since 1990, Indian forces have been engaged in a sustained terrorism has resulted in more than 30,000 deaths.

Immediate Necessity

The intervention of the international community to bring the violence in Kashmir to a quick end. Initiation of a political dialogue between the representatives of the people of Kashmir, and the Government of Pakistan and India to set the stage for a democratic and peaceful solution.

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