U THANT ARRIVES AT LONDON AIRPORT FROM NEW YORK; SOF STATEMENT U THANT IN NEW YORK AT START OF MISSION.



TRANSCRIPT:



"I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THIS MISSION. THE ISSUES ARE INFINITELY COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT. AND THE SITUATION OUT THERE IS EXTREMELY GRAVE."



"KASHMIR HAS BEEN A BAFFLING PROBLEM FOR THE UNITED NATIONS FOR 17 YEARS. I NEED SAY ONLY THAT I WILL DO MY VERY BEST AND HOPE THAT MY MISSION WILL PROVE HELPFUL."



"ON ITS COMPLETION, I WILL OF COURSE REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL. I WILL HAVE NOTHING PUBLIC TO SAY ABOUT IT UNTIL THEN, THANK YOU".




Initials JRG/S&N/JH/JM



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Background: WITH FULL SECURITY COUNCIL BACKING, U THANT, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, IS ON HIS WAY TO RAWALPINDI AND DELHI.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FLEW IN TO LONDON FROM NEW YORK TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON THE FIRST LEG OF HIS PEACE MISSION BETWEEN THE TWO WARRING COMMONWEALTH STATES.

IN LONDON, HE WAS ASSURED OF BRITISH SUPPORT TO END THE FIGHTING BY FOREIGN SECRETARY MICHAEL STEWART. U THANT MADE NO STATEMENT ON HIS ARRIVAL THERE BUT IN NEW YORK, BEFORE BOARDING HIS AIRCRAFT, HAD THIS TO SAY: