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UN Security Council Discusses Kashmir Escalation

Margaret Besheer

   UNITED NATIONS -The U.N. Security Council met privately Friday to
   discuss India's Aug. 5 decision to revoke the special status of Jammu
   and Kashmir, which has led to a security crackdown in the territory and
   an escalation in tensions with neighboring Pakistan.
   Permanent council member China requested the session on behalf of
   Pakistan, which had sent three letters to the council's president
   detailing its concerns since early August. It is the first time the
   council has met on the issue since 1971.
   "It's obvious that the constitutional amendment by India has changed
   the status quo in Kashmir, causing tensions in the region," China's new
   U.N. envoy, Zhang Jun, told reporters, referring to India's decision to
   revoke Article 370 ofits constitution, which gave the Muslim-majority
   territorysemiautonomy.
   Zhang noted Beijing's deep concern and called on the parties to
   exercise restraint.

   Overlapping claims
   The Kashmir region is divided among India, Pakistan and China, who have
   overlapping territorial claims. In Indian-controlled Kashmir, China
   controls an area in the east known as Aksai Chin, and Zhang said India
   had challenged China's "sovereign interests" there and violated a
   bilateral agreement related to peace in the border area.

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