UNITED NATIONS - The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, addressing a press conference on 13th February said, Kashmir has been a long standing issue. "The UN can play a role but cannot force a solution .... Like Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghali, I would offer my role as a mediator or intermediary whenever the two parties want."

Question: Mr. Secretary-General, I am sure you are fully aware of the situation in Kashmir. The Security Council has adopted resolutions in 1948 and 1949 recognising the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir. Do you have any intentions to implement those resolutions in the near future?

Secretary-General: "This has been a long standing issue. I must say I have been encouraged by some of the developments in the region recently. I think the agreement between India and Bangladesh on the sharing of the waters from the Ganges river is a very good indication. They have also just signed the Sino-Indian agreement, another positive development. Following the elections in Pakistan, the new Prime Minister has made very positive noises about getting a meeting at the foreign minister level with the Indian counterpart and the Indian Prime Minister has also indicated they will be prepared to do this. I think these are very, very positive developments that we must work on and encourage. It bodes well for the whole region. I think if we can get the leaders and the people in the region to cooperate and move the peace process forward and eliminate the tensions between them, it will be the right way to go."

Question: On Kashmir, the (previous) Secretary-General had offered his good office and said he is available to mediate between the two states because this issue has been going on for about 50 years. Do you have any new ideas at this point in time? Have you studied the issue? Other than the offer of good offices which I believe stands?

Secretary-General: "We have. Don't forget it was my department which was dealing with the Kashmir issue with the peace-keeping observers who were on the ground. So we have been in touch with both governments and monitored the developments. Like Dr. Boutros Ghali, I would offer my role as a mediator or intermediary whenever the two parties want. I think we have to be clear, and I think I implied that in my earlier question, that a lot can be done, the UN can assist, but the inspiration for the solution has to spring from the leaders and the people in the region. But I will be prepared to help and to facilitate that. In fact, I expect to go to the region and I will discuss this issue with the leaders. The UN can play a role but cannot force a solution."

Question: When do you expect to go?

Secretary-General: "My timetable has not been framed but it will be in April. It will be sometime in early April, first half of April."

Earlier in an address to the UN staff on 9th January, Mr. Annan said, "We are the United Nations, and we believe our organisation can fulfil the vision of our Charter, of a world where 'we the peoples' strive together for peace, freedom, economic and social justice and human rights."

The AFP reports from the United Nations: Reacting to news that Pakistani Foreign Secretary, Shamshad Ahmed, and his Indian counterpart, Salman Haider, would meet in New Delhi from March 28­31, Annan hoped that the talks "will pave the way for a meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving all outstanding issues between the two countries."

In a statement issued here (on 10th March), Annan "commends the willingness expressed recently by the two prime ministers to improve bilateral relations."

The United Nations has a stake in a political solution for the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir. UN resolutions provide for a plebiscite under UN auspices leading to self­determination.