United Nations, June 21: A seminar organised by Mexico to discuss the Kashmir issue here did not take place and diplomats said it may have been put off.
India had been peeved with Mexico, member of the security council, which had decided to hold the seminar yesterday and in which the list of speakers was weighed heavily in favour of Pakistan. No explanation for the delay was available but diplomats said India's unhappiness, planned boycott by Russia and Mauritius and lack of enthusiasm of several other members prompted the delay.
The meeting was not publicized, the UN journal which lists the events to take place every day also did not mention it. But within hours it became known that it would not be held. It was yet unclear whether it had been postponed or just put off. Earlier in the day, United Nations Chief spokesman Fred Eckhard had announced that “Mexico is scheduled to preside over an Arria formula meeting on the situation between India and Pakistan."

Eckhard declined go any further. Under Arria formula, the council members can meet with others whom they invite including non-governmental organizations and private citizens. But it is not considered a council meeting.

Among the speakers listed were president of the Asia society Nicholas Platt who is a member of the Kashmir study group which advocates independence for the state.

Bureau Report