The People's Republic of China, by sheer weight of population and by geographic size, has always had a profound effect on other nations' policies. But so long as it remained in isolation, it did not engage in an open and free exchange of views with others on international crises.
The result was often the delay of political settlement. This was true in Korea. It has been true in Vietnam. And today it is particularly true in South Asia.
The smouldering conflict there between India and Pakistan may be the greatest threat to world peace since World War II. For not only would a war between these two states involve two enormous population masses, untold casualties and a possible religious war. There would also be the grave danger that concerned outside powers, in particular China, the Soviet Union and the United States, might at some point be drawn in. In that event the world would face the possibility of a war involving 51 % of the entire population on the globe, a catastrophe on a scale with World War II.
From the beginning we have known that a political settlement between India and 'Pakistan would be difficult. The reason is clear. At stake is not simply the future but the political survival of two major world states. But what the states directly involved would have found difficult in any case, the People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union and the United States have made impossible. Both by their actions of support for one side against the other as well as by their failure to consult with one another about a political solution, they have delayed, not facilitated a political settlement.
I believe we can wait no longer for political discussions leading to an end to this menace to world peace. Both the powers directly involve, India and Pakistan, and those major powers indirectly involved must participate. And there is only one body where these discussion can be held, the UN Security Council.
We must end the practice of making the United Nations the court of no resort. Many experienced observers believe the world may literally be standing edge of the final preci Now is not the time to neglect the only world forum which brings together all interested parties without cost in prestige or position to any.
Today I am therefore introducing a resolution which declares it to be the sense of the Senate of the United States should instruct its delegation at the United Nations to propose the formal inscription on the agenda of the Security Council of the item “The Threat to Peace in South Asia” and that the United States delegation should at the same time call for an emergency session of the Security Council on this subject.
I urge support for this resolution so that the world may understand the danger-it faces and take steps towards its elimination. I urge that we not pass up the unique diplomatic opportunity to move towards peace in South Asia which I believe we all can agree China's entry into the United Nations may present.
