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In a highly controversial statement, the general heading the United Nations observation force in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday appeared to have stepped outside his brief by accusing both India and Pakistan of playing "political games" and said the United States might have to involve itself to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue.
"My assessment is that the situation will become more tense, not only along the Line of Control, but also in the whole of Jammu and Kashmir," the head of UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, Hermann K Loidolt, told reporters.
Describing the Kashmir issue as "multi-layered", he said, "All of us are aware of the situation in Kashmir and the games both parties -- India and Pakistan -- are playing.
"Whatever the reason is for playing games -- may it be diversionary manoeuvre on the Pakistani side, or may it be the dawning of next election in India -- it will be an issue for the United States to solve," he said.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars and the ceasefire line "is now metamorphosed into the actual Line of Control, though it is yet to become the international border", he said.
"The relations between the two countries continue to revolve around those temporary agreements, some of which had UN involvement. At the moment it seems to arise as an important issue again. This time presumably under the auspices of the US," Loidolt said.
"But whatever the political development may be, the task of the UNMOGIP is to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire of December 17, 1971 and to report thereon to the secretary general," he said.
He said, "The UNMOGIP's mandate is indefinite and its termination would require a decision by the Security Council. There is no particular resolution of the Security Council or the General Assembly requesting reports on UNMOGIP."
"The question of reporting on missions was discussed some years ago in the special committee for peacekeeping operations and the secretary general's position was that he would do so on the request of the Security Council," he said.
Asked what can, or should, the UNMOGIP do in J&K, Loidolt said he had to be very careful and stick to realities.
"India refuses any third party mediation and doesn't recognise the mandate of the UNMOGIP. At the same time the situation on the ground changes day by day. Without the presence of the UN, the developments could be unpredictable," he said.
"If there was no UNMOGIP, in my opinion, in case of a new conflict, a new UNSC resolution and peacekeeping mission, in the light of the Indian view, would be almost unimaginable," Loidolt said.
PTI
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