TheUnitedNationsSecurityCouncil

LetterfromtheExecutiveBoard

Welcomedelegates,totheTHSMUN’15!

Inthisdocumentyouwillfindbasicinformationaboutboththeagendas,pleasereadthedocumentanddofurtherresearchonthesame.TheBackgroundGuidehelpsyoutogetagraspovertheagendasandgivesyouthebasicoutlineofwhatyourresearchmaterialshouldbe.

Wehopethatthisdocumenthelpsyouunderstandtheissueandthatunderstandingleadstobetterdebateinthecommittee.

BestofLuck!

KeshavGupta ShreeshChadha

Chairperson Vice-Chairperson

AbouttheUNSecurityCouncil

Under the Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of

international peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote. Under

the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions. The Security

Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of

aggression.

It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods

of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to

imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international

peace and security. The Security Council also recommends to the General Assembly the

appointment of the Secretary-General and the admission of new Members to the United

Nations. And, together with the General Assembly, it elects the judges of the International

Court of Justice.

You are also advised to look into the Practice of the UN Security Council1 and how the

Charter affects the same. This will be highly informative as to the inner workings of the

SC and hence, debate on it.

1 http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/actions.shtml

Anadvisedpatternofresearchisthefollowing:

1. Understanding of the UN and the Committee – Mandate, etc.

2. Research on the allotted country, especially with respect to the agenda, past policies

or actions taken

3. Understanding the Foreign Policy of the allotted country by studying past actions,

their causes and consequences

4. Reading the Study Guide

5. Researching further upon the Agenda using the footnotes and links given in the guide

6. Prepare topics for moderated caucuses and their content

7. Assemble proof/evidence for any important piece of information/allegation you are

going to use in committee

8. Keep your research updated using news websites given in the Proof

Proof/EvidenceintheCouncil

Evidence or proof is acceptable from sources:

1. News Sources:

a. REUTERS2– Any Reuters article which clearly makes mention of the fact or is in

contradiction of the fact being stated by a delegate in council.

b. State operated News Agencies – These reports can be used in the support of or

against the State that owns the News Agency. These reports, if credible or

substantial enough, can be used in support of or against any Country as such but in

that situation, they can be denied by any other country in the council. Some

examples are, RIA Novosti (Russia)3, IRNA (Iran)4, BBC (United Kingdom)5 and

Xinhua News Agency and CCTV (P.R. China)6

2. Government Reports: These reports can be used in a similar way as the State

Operated News Agencies reports and can, in all circumstances, be denied by another 2 http://www.reuters.com/

3 http://en.rian.ru/

4 http://www.irna.ir/ENIndex.htm

5 http://www.bbc.co.uk/

6 http://cctvnews.cntv.cn/

country. However, a nuance is that a report that is being denied by a certain

country can still be accepted by the Executive Board as credible information.

Examples are,

a. Government Websites like the State Department of the United States of

America7 or the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation8

b. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of various nations like India9, People’s Republic of

China10, France11, Russian Federation12

c. Permanent Representatives to the United Nations 13 – Reports and other

documents

d. Multilateral Organizations like the NATO14, ASEAN15, OPEC16, etc.

3. UN Reports: All UN Reports are considered are credible information or evidence for

the Executive Board of the Security Council.

a. UN Bodies: Like the UNSC17, GA18, HRC19 etc.

7 http://www.state.gov/index.htm

8 http://www.eng.mil.ru/en/index.htm

9 http://www.mea.gov.in/

10 http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/

11 http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/

12 http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/main_eng

13 http://www.un.org/en/members/(ClickonanycountrytogetthewebsiteoftheOfficeofitsPermanentRepresentative.)

14 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/index.htm

15 http://www.aseansec.org/

16 http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/

17 http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/

18 http://www.un.org/en/ga/

19 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/HRCIndex.aspx

b. UN Affiliated bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency20, World

Bank 21 , International Monetary Fund 22 , International Committee of the Red

Cross23, etc.

c. Treaty Based Bodies like the Antarctic Treaty System 24 , the International

Criminal Court25

Under no circumstances will sources like Wikipedia26, Amnesty International27, Human

Rights Watch28 or newspapers like the Guardian29, Times of India30, etc. be accepted as

PROOF; but may be used for better understanding of any issue and even be brought up

in debate, if the information given in such sources is in line with the beliefs of a

Government.

20 http://www.iaea.org/

21 http://www.worldbank.org/

22 http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm

23 http://www.icrc.org/eng/index.jsp

24 http://www.ats.aq/e/ats.htm

25 http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC

26 http://www.wikipedia.org/

27 http://www.amnesty.org/

28 http://www.hrw.org/

29 http://www.guardian.co.uk/

30 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

AGENDA2-Non-Self-GoverningTerritories

Introduction

The term used in the Charter of the United Nations to define all colonial and other dependent territories with the exception of trust territories, for which the trusteeship system has been created. The status of a non-self-governing territory is set down in Chapter XI of the UN Charter, which contains the Declaration Regarding Non-self-governing Territories.

According to the Charter, the UN members that bear or accept responsibility for governing non-self-governing territories thereby obligate themselves to promote the well-being of the population of these territories; secure their economic, political, and social progress; develop self-government; and regularly submit to the secretary-general of the UN information on the situation in these non-self-governing territories. The Department of Political Affairs, Trusteeship, and Decolonization exists within the UN Secretariat to study the situation in the non-self-governing territories. The principal UN agency with the responsibility to search for the best ways and means of eliminating colonial regimes in non-self-governing territories is a special committee set up to oversee implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which was adopted by the 15th session of the General Assembly (1960).

Since the founding of the United Nations, most of the non-self-governing territories have achieved independence. The colonial powers have frequently resisted the aspirations of peoples in the non-self-governing territories toward freedom and independence.

The UN General Assembly, by its resolution 60/119 of 8 December 2005, requested the annual observance of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

In the UN Charter, a Non-Self-Governing Territory is defined as a Territory “whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government”.

In 1946, several UN Member States identified a number of Territories under their administration that were not self-governing and placed them on a UN list. Countries administering Non-Self-Governing Territories are called administering Powers. As a result of the decolonization process over the years, most of the Territories were removed from the list.

It urged the administering Powers concerned to take effective measures to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to their natural resources, including land, and to establish and maintain control over the future

development of those resources, and requests the Administering Powers to take all necessary steps to protect the property rights of the peoples of those Territories.

It also urged all States, directly and through their action in the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, to provide moral and material assistance to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Non-Self-GoverningTerritoriesTERRITORY Administration Area (sq.km.) Population 1

AFRICA

Western Sahara 2 266,000 3

ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN

Anguilla United Kingdom 96 14,766

Bermuda United Kingdom 53 68,265

British Virgin Islands United Kingdom 153 24,939

Cayman Islands United Kingdom 260 50,209

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)4 United Kingdom 11,961 3,140

Montserrat United Kingdom 98 5,118

St. Helena United Kingdom 122 7,670

Turks and Caicos Islands United Kingdom 430 23,528

United States Virgin Islands United States 340 109,750

EUROPE

Gibraltar United Kingdom 6 28,877

PACIFIC AND INDIAN OCEANS

American Samoa United States 197 66,432

Guam United States 549 180,865

New Caledonia5 France 35,853 252,352

Pitcairn United Kingdom 5 48

Tokelau New Zealand 10 1,40

COMMITTEES

The Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, known as the Special Committee on Decolonization, offers advice on the options available to the Non-Self-Governing Territories in the exercise of their right to self-determination. For example, the Chairman and other members of the Committee visited Bermuda in 2005 and the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2006 to explain the options to the people of these Territories.

The Department of Political Affairs, Decolonization Unit, provides substantive support to the Special Committee on Decolonization, prepares annual working papers on the situation in the Non-Self-Governing Territories, and maintains the UN website on decolonization. The Department’s Electoral Assistance Division can provide technical advice on a referendum to decide on the future status of a Territory or to observe the referendum process, should such a request come from the administering Power and the people of the Territory.

The Department of Public Information compiles and disseminates information on the decolonization process. Its latest publications, prepared in cooperation with the Department of Political Affairs, are: United Nations and Decolonization (2005) and United Nations and Decolonization: Questions and Answers (2005).

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has accepted several Non-Self-Governing Territories as associate members. As associate members of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), which is the permanent subsidiary body of ECLAC, Non-Self-Governing Territories can participate in United Nations global conferences as official observers, receive technical and advisory services, and benefit from training workshops and seminars. The following Territories enjoy associate member status: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and United States Virgin Islands.

In March 2006, the Turks and Caicos Islands was added to the list of associate members of ECLAC.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has accepted several Non-Self-Governing Territories as associate members of its Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries. The Special Body, which meets every two years, provides a focused forum for addressing the special issues and problems facing this group of countries in the spirit of regional cooperation. The Territories are: American Samoa, Guam and New Caledonia. Through their status with ESCAP, they can participate in United Nations global conferences as official observers, receive technical and advisory services, and benefit from training workshops and seminars. Between 2000 and 2005, a total of 17 advisory missions to Non-Self-Governing Territories in economic and social areas have been undertaken by advisers from the UN ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre.

The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) can assist those Non-Self-Governing Territories that are small islands and face numerous vulnerabilities and constraints through its mandate to provide coordination in the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. The Programme of Action focuses on seven areas of commitment aimed at reducing poverty and the promotion of sustainable development. The OHRLLS can provide coordinated follow-up, undertake appropriate advocacy work, mobilize resources and provide support to group consultations of small island developing States.

HISTORYANDAGENDAOFCOMMITTEEONINFORMATIONFROMNONSELF.GOVERNINGTERRITORIES

http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/etimor/docs/a4371.pdf

DECOLONIZATIONCOMMITTEEPRESSRELEASE:

decolonizationcommitteeadoptstextwelcomingassistancetoremaining

non-self-governingterritoriesbyunspecializedagencies

InParticularCitesRoleofUNDevelopmentProgramme;

RequestsStrengthenedSupporttoAccelerateEconomicProgress

TheSpecialCommitteeonDecolonizationthismorning,welcomingtheassistanceextendedtoNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriesbythespecializedagenciesandotherorganizationsoftheUnitedNationssystem,inparticulartheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),urgedthosethathavenotyetprovidedassistancetotheTerritoriestodosoassoonaspossible.

AdoptingadraftresolutionontheimplementationoftheDeclarationoftheGrantingofIndependencetoColonialCountriesandPeoplesbythespecializedagenciesandtheinternationalinstitutionsassociatedwiththeUnitedNations,theSpecialCommitteerecommendedthatallStatesintensifytheireffortsintheUnitedNationsspecializedagenciesandorganizationstoensuretheDeclaration’sfullimplementation.Thetext(documentA/AC.109/2004/L.12)wasadoptedwithoutavote.

Byothertermsofthetext,theSpecialCommitteerequestedUnitedNationsspecializedagenciesandorganizationsandregionalorganizationstostrengthensupportmeasuresandformulateappropriateassistanceprogrammestotheremainingTerritories,inordertoaccelerateprogressintheirsocio-economicsectors.TheywerealsorequestedtoprovideinformationonenvironmentalproblemsfacingtheTerritories;theimpactofnaturaldisasters;waysandmeanstoassisttheTerritoriestofightdrugtrafficking,moneylaunderingandotherillegalandcriminalactivities,andtheillegalexploitationofmarineresources.

TheSpecialCommittee,byfurtherterms,recommendedthattheexecutiveheadsofthespecializedagenciesandUnitedNationssystemorganizationsformulate--withtheactivecooperationoftheregionalorganizationsconcerned--concreteproposalsforthefullimplementationoftherelevantUnitedNationsresolutions.ItalsowelcomedUNDP’sinitiativeinmaintainingcloseliaisonwiththespecializedagenciesandotherUnitedNationsorganizations,includingtheEconomicCommissionforLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean(ECLAC)andtheEconomicandSocialCommissionforAsiaandthePacific(ESCAP),inprovidingassistancetothepeoplesoftheTerritories.

BearinginmindtheextremelyfragileeconomiesofthesmallislandTerritoriesandtheirvulnerabilitytonaturaldisasters,suchashurricanes,cyclonesandsea-levelrise,theNon-Self-GoverningTerritorieswereencouragedtotakestepstoestablishand/orstrengthendisasterpreparednessandmanagementinstitutionsandpolicies.

Byfurtherterms,theadministeringPowerswererequestedtofacilitatetheparticipationofappointedandelectedrepresentativesoftheTerritoriesinrelevantUnitedNationsmeetings.TheSecretary-GeneralwasrequestedtocontinueassistingthespecializedagenciesinworkingoutappropriatemeasuresforimplementingthevariousUnitedNationsresolutionsandtoprepareareportonactiontakenintheimplementationofthoseresolutions.

AddressingtheCommitteebeforethetext’sadoption,CarlyleCorbinoftheUnitedStatesVirginIslands,saidhecontinuedtoregardtheresolutionasoneoftheCommittee’smostimportantoutputs.Thereremainedlittleornodebateontheitem.Hebelievedthatcommongroundcouldbefoundtomaketheresolutionaconsensustext.Effortsshouldbemadetoachievethatgoal.

Therehadbeenonesubstantivechangeinthetext,namelythereferencetothepositiveroleplayedbytheECLACandESCAPinprovidingassistancetotheTerritories,headded.ThecommissionswerecriticaltoregionalintegrationandtothelinkageswiththewiderUnitedNationssystem.TheCommitteecouldenhanceitsownworkthroughthedevelopmentofconstructivedialoguewiththeregionalcommissions.OneofthemostinterestingaspectsoftheworkoftheregionalcommissionswastheparticipationoftheTerritoriesinvariousinternationalconferences,hesaid.

HesaidhewaspleasedthattheCommitteehadretainedlanguageintheomnibusresolutionadoptedlastweekrequestingUNDPtoprovidefortheparticipationofUnitedStatesVirginIslandsinitsregionalprogrammes.Hewaspuzzled,however,bythedeletionoftherequestforparticipationofUnitedStatesVirginIslandsintheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)programmeonarchivalmanagement.TheCommitteecouldassistbyfollowingupwithUNESCOinthatregard,andinsertingareferenceintheomnibusresolution.

MattersaddressedinUnitedNationsbudgetarycommitteeshadsignificantbearingonthedecolonizationprocess,headded.TheDepartmentofPoliticalAffairs’(DPA)2004-2005budgetincludedanactivitytoensureassistancebythespecializedagenciestotheTerritories.AstherewasnosuchcoordinationbytheDepartmentinthatarea,itwaspuzzlingthatsuchactivitieswerelistedeachyearaspartofDPA’sdecolonizationmandate.

Inotheractionthismorning,theSpecialCommitteeadoptedthedraftreportofitsPacificRegionalSeminar,heldatMadang,PapuaNewGuinea,from18to20May2004.

Followingitsadoption,SpecialCommitteeRapporteur,FayssalMekdad(Syria),thankedtheCommitteeChairmanandtheGovernmentofPapuaNewGuineaforthefacilitiesmadeavailabletotheSpecialCommittee.PapuaNewGuinea’srecordinthatregardwaslongandsingular.

Regardingtheadoptionofthedraftresolution,hesaidthestatementbytheUnitedStatesVirginIslandsrepresentativehadraisedanumberofimportantconsiderations.Hewaspleasedthatthetexthadbeenadoptedbyconsensus.Despitealloftheeffortsmadetodate,however,theFourthCommitteeandtheGeneralAssemblyhadbeenunabletodothesame.Hewouldwelcomedialoguewithdelegationsthathadreservationswiththetext.Suchdialogue,however,mustincludetheacceptanceinprincipleoftheneedforspecializedagenciestocooperateintheDeclaration’simplementation.

CommitteeChairman,RobertGubaAisi(PapuaNewGuinea)saiditwasimportanttorememberthatwhentheSpecialCommitteeadjourneditssessiontomorrow,itsworkwouldnotend.HewoulddoeverythingpossibletoensurethatthattheFourthCommitteereachedconsensusonthetext.TheissuesathandwereimportantfortheremainingTerritories.

TherepresentativeofPapuaNewGuineaagreedthatwiththeCommittee’sworkfinishingtomorrow,itwasimportanttothinkahead.Inthatconnection,heexpressedhopethattheregionalseminarnextyearwouldbeheldinBermuda,oranotherNon-Self-GoverningTerritoryintheCaribbean.

TheSpecialCommitteewillmeetagainat10a.m.Tuesday,22June,whenitisexpectedtoconcludetheworkofitsresumed2004session.

(I)Againsttheself-determinationdoctrineThenationalself-determinationdoctrineproclaimsthefreedomofthepeopleofagiventerritorytodeterminetheirownpoliticalstatusorindependencefromtheircurrentstate.DanielHannanthismorningdefendstherightoftheSouthOssetianstoself-determination,proclaimingthatitappliesjustasmuchtoSouthOssetiaversusGeorgiaasitdoestoKosovoversusSerbia,BosniaversusYugoslavia,andtheUKversustheEU.And,ofcourse,thelogicoftheself-determinationdoctrineobligeshimtoholdthisposition.Butthedoctrineitself,thoughseductiveandoftenproducinganswersthatwelike,isdeeplyflawedandshouldberejected.

Inthemodernera,theconceptofnationalself-determinationisusuallytracedbacktotherevoltoftheAmericancolonistsagainsttheBritish.WhentheSouthernStatesattemptedtobreakawayfromtheUnion,self-determinationturnedouttobeadoctrineAmericansdiscoveredhadlimits.Nonetheless,thedoctrineinitsmodernformbecamepushedheavilytowardstheendofWorldWarI,drivenbytwoclosely-relatednotions.First,therewastheviewofWoodrowWilson,thenAmericanPresident.Amongstthe"fourteenpoints"heandhisteamof150advisors("TheInquiry")developedwereseveralthatdemandedself-determinationforthepeoplesoftheEuropeanEmpiresandthesettingofborderson"nationality"bases.

ManyofWilson'sproposalswereunpopularinEurope.ThiswassurelynothelpedbythefactthattheBolsheviksalsoproposinga"right"ofall"nations",interpretedsoastoincludecolonies,toself-determination.Lenin,forexample,writingin1914stated:“[It]wouldbewrongtointerprettherighttoself-determinationasmeaninganythingbuttherighttoexistenceasaseparatestate."

TheBritishwereinitiallyveryscepticalabouttheself-determinationconcept.However,theideacametogainpurchasefromthelate1920sandintothe1930s,intheperiodofImperialDoubt.MuchoftheBritishestablishmentwasimpressedwithGhandi'smovementforself-determinationinIndia.Similarly,intheearlyphasesofGermanexpansioninthe1930s,thetaleofferedwasoftheunificationoftheGerman-speakingpeoples-anapplicationoftheself-determinationdoctrinethatseemedattractivetomanyintheBritishestablishmentuncomfortableaboutthetreatmentoftheGermansattheendofWorldWarI.

AfteritsentryintotheSecondWorldWar,theUSbecameparticularlykeenthat,post-war,thedoctrineshouldbeappliedtotheBritishcolonies.TheAmericanswerehighlycriticalofthestateofthepeoplesoftheBritishcolonies,particularlyinAfrica,andofthepoliticaltreatmentofthepeoplesofIndiaandBurma.InNovember1942,Churchill(whoneveracceptedthedoctrine)respondedtosustainedAmericanattacksupontheBritishEmpire,stating"IhavenotbecometheKing'sFirstMinisterinordertopresideovertheliquidationoftheBritishEmpire."

Nonetheless,intheperiodafterWorldWarII,Britainwasfinanciallyandeconomicallyimpoverishedbythetwogreatwars,hadbecomeenamouredoftheself-determinationdoctrineitselfandever-moredoubtfulofthemoralityofEmpire,andwasunabletoresistthedrivetowardsnationalself-determinationpost-war,stirredupbyandsupportedbytheUnitedStates,bytheSovietsandbyChina.Theanti-colonialmovementsinAfrica,India,theCaribbean,andEastAsia,inbothAmerican-inspiredandCommunist-inspiredforms,wereamajorfeatureofworldpoliticsbetweenthelate1950sandtheendofthe1970s.

Self-determinationwasmorerecentlyakeyfeatureofthebreak-upofYugoslaviaandtheestablishmentofthepost-Sovietrepublics.ThedoctrineisinvokedbynationalistmovementsinmanypartsofEurope-inScotland,Wales,andCornwall,inCataloniaandtheBasqueregion,bytheLombardsinItaly.

Althoughwidely-supportedwhenpressedthedoctrinereducesitselftoabsurdity,asweseeinHannan'spost.Forwhodecideswhoa"people"are?Ifthistobedonebysomeoutsideauthority-say,thestate-thentheactofdenyinga"people""nationhood"istheactofdenyingself-determination.Theonlypossibilityisthatapeopledeclareitself.Butwhatofanyminoritywithinastatethatdisagreeswiththedeclarationoftherestthattheyareapeople(aswith,saythepeopleofSouthOssetia)?Thisminority'srecourseisthentodeclareitselfapeopleentitledtobeself-determined(ditto).Andofcourse,inevitably,therewillbesomewithinthatsub-regionthatdisagree(videtheKosovanserbs).Theseagainmustdeclarethemselvesa"people"andclaimtheirownrighttoself-determination.Thereisnoendtothisprocess,eitherintheoryor,indeed,inpractice.Eventuallysixpeoplewhodon'tlikethetaxestheyarecharged,orthewaylocalroadsignsarespelt,orwhatever,declarethemselvesa"people",entitledtobeself-determinedandtooptoutofthestateunderwhichtheyfall.

Theself-determinationdoctrineisthusabsurd,emptyandpointless,foritcannotbeself-determination,really,thatistellinguswhyBosniaandnotRepublikaSrpskaistherightscopeofastate,orGeorgiaandnotSouthOssetia.Andonceweknowthat"somethingelse"thatdoesdeterminetheproperscopeforastate,wenolongerneedtheself-determinationdoctrine.Thedoctrineisconnectedtoadeeplyflawedconceptofdemocracy,namelythatitinvolvesa"demos"rulingthemselves.Ishallattackthatideainmoredetailanothertime,butfornowIwishtopressthethoughtthatthereisagenuinealternativetothebeliefinself-determination,foritsgripseemstobesostrongthattheonlythingmostpeopleseemstobeabletoimagineasanalternativeisoppression.

(II)Self-determinationofpeoplesisahumanrightSelf-determinationislooselydefinedastherightofnationsorpeoplesto"freelydeterminetheir

politicalstatusandfreelypursuetheireconomic,socialandculturaldevelopment"1.Itiscommontoheartheassertionthatthisisa"fundamentalhumanright".Butwhatexactlydoesthismean,andisitcorrect?

Self-determinationisanissueinmanydifferentcontextsaroundtheworld.Manyoftheseinvolvestateswhichhave,throughterritorialexpansion,populationshifts,boundarychanges,independencefromorcolonisationofothernations,foundthemselvesinchargeofminoritygroupswhomayhavestrongethnic,national,religious,culturalorlinguisticdifferencesfromotherinhabitantsofanation.Thiscanleadtoallsortsofproblems;minoritiesmayidentifymorestronglywithaneighbouringstate,orfearthattheirculturalandpoliticalidentityisbeingdilutedbystatepolicies,whilenationstatesareoftenconcernedaboutinstabilityorlossoftheirstrongnationalidentityifminoritygroupsaregiventoomuchautonomyorspecialtreatment.

NSGTINTHEMODERNWORLD:

SpecialCommitteeChairmanCallsforEndto‘UnfinishedBusiness’,Caribbean

CommunitySaysWorkonContemporaryDecolonizationProcessesatVirtualStandstill

Aretoolingofworkmethods,arevivalofspirit,andahonedcapacitytoengagewithallconcernedpartieswerenecessarytoputanendtotheunfinishedbusinessofdecolonization,theFourthCommittee(SpecialPoliticalandDecolonization)wastold,asitbeganitsgeneraldebateonthesubjecttoday.

Whilenearly750millionpeoplehadexercisedtheirrighttoself-determinationandmorethan80once-colonizedterritorieshadgainedindependence,R.M.MartyM.Natalegawa,ChairmanoftheSpecialCommitteeonDecolonization–-which,sinceitsestablishmentin1961,hadmonitoredtheimplementationoftheDeclarationontheGrantingofIndependencetoColonialCountriesandPeoples-–saidthattheremaining16Non-Self-GoverningTerritoriesweresimply16toomany.

TheessentialtaskathandwastoacceleratethedecolonizationprocessinthoseremainingTerritoriesandputtheprocessinthecontextanddynamicsofachangingworld,onacase-by-casebasis,hesaid.Thatnecessitatedtheactiveinvolvementofallstakeholdersconcerned,aswellasarenewedcommitmenttomovebeyondbusinessasusual.Collaborativeandconcreteeffortsbytheinternationalcommunity,theadministeringPowersandtheNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,themselves,wereneeded.Althoughtherehadbeensomeprogressthisyear,therewasstillplentyofroomforimprovement.

Furtherguidancewasalsonecessaryfromtheinternationalcommunityonafuturecourseofactioninthedecolonizationprocessintoday’sworld,withitsmanynovelchallengesandopportunities,hesaid.ThatwasparticularlycrucialinanticipationoftheconclusionoftheSecondInternationalDecade,attheendof2010.

Inastatementechoedbyanumberofdelegations,therepresentativeofSaintKittsandNevis-–speakingonbehalfoftheCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM)--emphasizedthatparticularfocusshouldbegiventoreviewingthedecolonizationmandate.Heworried,inparticular,thatUnitedNationsworkoncontemporarydecolonizationprocessesremainedinastateofvirtualinertiaandthatunlessfundamentalactionwastaken,theOrganization

wouldbecomplicitinstymieingthelegitimateaspirationsofpeopleswhosehumanrightsitwascreatedtoprotect.

EmergingfromthevacuumcreatedbythatpoliticalenvironmentwasanattempttoredefinetheNon-Self-Governingstatusasthatofself-government,hesaid.TheaimappearedtobethehurriedremovalofthoseTerritoriesfromtheUnitedNationslist,evenastheyremainedNon-Self-Governing.Theinternationalcommunitycouldnotcountenancesuchacts,butmustdecideifitwasgoingtoremaintruetotherelevantprovisionsoftheCharter.Ifso,itwasnecessarytorestartthedormantdecolonizationprocess,orcapitulatetothedubiousargumentsthatjustifiedlegitimizationofcontemporarycolonization,declaringdecolonizationcompleteandthusabandoningthepeopleoftheterritories.

AsanadministeringPower,theUnitedKingdomsaidthatwhereindependencewasanoptionandtheclearandconstitutionally-expressedwishofthepeopleofitsOverseasTerritories,theGovernmentwouldgiveeveryhelpandencouragementtothoseTerritoriestoachieveit,itsrepresentativesaid.But,foraslongasthoseTerritorieswishedtoretaintheirlinktotheUnitedKingdom,hisGovernmentwouldremaincommittedtotheirfuturedevelopmentandsecurity.

AlthoughthesituationineachTerritorywasdifferent,andsomeTerritorieswereatamoreadvancedstageofdevelopmentthanothers,theUnitedKingdomwouldcontinuetoworkwithalloftheTerritories,asappropriate,inareassuchasgoodgovernance,politicalandeconomictransparency,enhancedsecurityandreducedvulnerabilitytonaturalandmanmadedisasters.TherehadbeenprogressonconstitutionalreviewwithmostOverseasTerritories,hesaid.

AlsospeakingtodayweretherepresentativesofEgypt(onbehalfoftheNon-AlignedMovement),Uruguay(onbehalfoftheSouthernCommonMarket),Mexico(onbehalfoftheRioGroup),China,Ecuador,Venezuela,SouthAfrica,Cuba,Senegal,Kenya,Namibia,Indonesia,Timor-LesteandUganda.

ThereportoftheSpecialCommitteeontheSituationwithregardtotheImplementationoftheDeclarationontheGrantingofIndependencetoColonialCountriesandPeopleswasintroducedbythatbody’sRapporteur,BasharJa’afari(Syria).

TherepresentativesoftheUnitedKingdomandArgentinaspokeinexerciseoftherightofreply.

TheFourthCommitteewillmeetagainat3p.m.onTuesday,6October,tocontinueitsdebateondecolonizationissues.

Background

AstheFourthCommittee(SpecialPoliticalandDecolonization)beganitsannualdebateonaclusterofdecolonizationissuesthisafternoon,ithadbeforeittheReportoftheSpecialCommitteeontheSituationwithregardtotheImplementationoftheDeclarationontheGrantingofIndependencetoColonialCountriesandPeoplesfor2009(documentsA/64/23andA/64/23/Corr.2).

Atitssixty-thirdsessionin2008,theGeneralAssemblyadoptedresolution63/110,therebyrequestingtheSpecialCommitteetocontinuetoseeksuitablemeansfortheimmediateandfullimplementationoftheDeclaration,andtocarryouttheactionsithadapprovedregardingtheSecondInternationalDecadefortheEradicationofColonialisminallTerritoriesthathadnotyetexercisedtheirrighttoself-determination.Inadditiontoresolution63/110,theGeneralAssemblyadopted10otherresolutionsandtwodecisionsrelatingtospecificitemsconsideredbytheSpecialCommitteein2008.Theyarelistedinthereport.

Accordingtothereport,theSpecialCommitteeintends,during2010,topursueitseffortsinbringingaspeedyendtocolonialism,andtocontinuetointensifyitsdialogueandcooperationwiththeadministeringPowersinfurtheringthecauseofdecolonization.TheSpecialCommittee’smemberswereparticularlyencouragedbytheexcellentcooperationofNewZealandandTokelauateverystageofnegotiations,includinginthereferendumsheldin2006and2007.

ThereportsaysthattheSpecialCommittee,inordertofacilitatetheimplementationofitsmandate,willcontinuetoconductregionalseminarstoassess,receiveanddisseminateinformationonthesituationintheTerritories.ItwillholditsnextseminarinthePacificregionin2010.ItwillalsocontinuetoseekthecooperationoftheadministeringPowersinfacilitatingUnitedNationsvisitingandspecialmissionstotheTerritoriesundertheiradministrations,duringwhichitwillcollectfirst-handinformationontheconditionsthereandontheaspirationsofthepeoplesconcerningtheirfuturestatus.Theseseminarsandmissionspresentopportunitiestodisseminateinformation,andtomobilizeworldpublicopiniontoassistthepeopleoftheTerritoriesinbringingaboutaspeedyendtocolonialism,

andtodevelopprogrammesaimedatTerritoriesthathaverequestedinformationaboutself-determinationoptions.

Thereportstatesthatinadditiontogeneralproblemsfacingdevelopingcountries,Non-Self-GoverningTerritoriesalsosufferfromtheinterplayofsuchfactorsassize,remoteness,geographicaldispersion,vulnerabilitytonaturaldisasters,fragilityofecosystems,constraintsintransportandcommunications,distancefrommarketcentres,limitedinternalmarkets,lackofnaturalresourcesandvulnerabilitytodrug-trafficking,money-launderingandotherillegalactivities,aswellasfromthecurrentfinancialcrisis.ToaddressthespecificproblemsoftheremainingNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,theSpecialCommitteewillcontinuetorecommendmeasurestofacilitatesustained,balancedgrowthoftheirfragileeconomiesandincreasedassistanceinthedevelopmentofallthesectorsoftheireconomies.ItfurtherintendstotakeintoaccounteconomicandotheractivitiesthataffecttheinterestsofthepeoplesoftheNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,andtocontinueitscooperationwithinterestedStatestoensurethattheinterestsofthepeoplesofthoseTerritoriesareprotected.

TheSpecialCommitteerecommendsthattheAssemblyrenewitsappealtotheadministeringPowerstotakeallnecessarystepsfortheDeclaration’simplementation,andrequeststhoseadministeringPowersthathavenotyetdonesotobecomeinvolvedwiththeworkoftheSpecialCommitteeinthedischargeofitsmandate.ItalsorecommendsthattheAssemblycontinuetoinviteadministeringPowerstoallowrepresentativesoftheTerritoriestoparticipateintheFourthCommittee’sdiscussions.ItalsorecommendsthattheAssemblymakeadequateprovisionstocovertheactivitiesenvisagedbytheSpecialCommitteefor2010.Shouldanyadditionalprovisionsberequiredoverandabovethoseincludedintheproposedprogrammebudgetforthebiennium2010-2011,proposalsforsupplementaryrequirementswillbemadetotheAssembly.

ThereportalsosummarizestheconclusionsoftheCaribbeanregionalseminarheldinSaintKittsandNevisfrom12to14MayontheimplementationoftheSecondInternationalDecadefortheEradicationofColonialism(2001-2010).TheseminarreconfirmedthevalidongoingroleoftheUnitedNationsintheprocessofdecolonizationandreaffirmedtheSpecialCommittee’sroleastheprimaryvehicleforfosteringthedecolonizationprocess.ItalsounderlinedtheimportancefortheSpecialCommitteetodevelop,asamatterofurgency,aproactiveandfocusedapproachinfulfillingdecolonizationvis-à-vistheNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriesontheUnitedNationslist.Inviewoftheeconomicvulnerabilitybroughtaboutbyclimatechangeandtheglobaleconomicandfinancialcrisis,itrecommendedsteppingupattentiontocommunity-basedsustainabledevelopmentincludingdevelopingsmallandmediumbusinesses;thepromotionofmicrofinancingand

employment-generatingactivities;andtheempowermentofvulnerablegroupsintheNon-Self-GoverningTerritories.

Thewide-rangingreportalsooutlinestheSpecialCommittee’sconsiderationofspecificissuesandactionstakenonrelateddraftresolutionsduringits2009session,includingonthedisseminationofinformationondecolonization;sendingvisitingandspecialmissionstoTerritories;economicandotheractivitiesthataffecttheinterestsofthepeoplesoftheNon-SelfGoverningTerritories;implementationofthedecolonizationDeclaration;andinformationfromNon-SelfGoverningTerritoriestransmittedunderArticle73eoftheUnitedNationsCharterandonspecificTerritories,includingGibraltar,NewCaledonia,WesternSahara,AmericanSamoa,Anguilla,Bermuda,BritishVirginIslands,CaymanIslands,Guam,Montserrat,Pitcairn,SaintHelena,TurksandCaicosIslands,UnitedStatesVirginIslands,Tokelau,andtheFalklandIslands(Malvinas).

[UnderArticle73e,MemberStateswithresponsibilitiesfortheadministrationofTerritorieswhosepeopleshavenotyetattainedself-governmentagreetotransmitregularlytotheSecretary-Generalinformationonthesocio-economicandeducationalconditionsinthoseTerritories,otherthantrusteeshipTerritoriesfallingunderChaptersXIIandXIII.]

TheFourthCommitteealsohadbeforeittheSecretary-General’sreportoninformationfromNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriestransmittedunderArticle73eoftheUnitedNationsCharter(documentA/64/67),whichincludesdatesoftransmissionbyadministeringPowersofinformationongeography,history,populationandsocio-economicandeducationalconditionsin16suchTerritories.

AlsobeforetheCommitteewastheSecretary-General’sreportonImplementationoftheDeclarationontheGrantingofIndependencetoColonialCountriesandPeoplesbythespecializedagenciesandtheinternationalinstitutionsassociatedwiththeUnitedNations(documentA/64/62).ItcontainsalistoftheagenciesandinstitutionsthatwereinvitedtosubmitinformationontheireffortstoimplementtherelevantUnitedNationsresolutions.SummariesoftherepliesreceivedfromthosebodiesarecontainedindocumentE/2009/47.

[DocumentE/2009/47describesprogrammesofferedtoseveralterritorialGovernmentsbytheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),aswellasbytheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA);FoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO);UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO);WorldHealthOrganization(WHO);OrganizationofEasternCaribbeanStates;andInternationalMaritimeOrganization.Theyincludeprojectstobolsterhealthservicesandtoraisethecapacityof

territorialGovernmentstomanagedisasterandriskreduction.TheFAO’sassistancefocusedonsupportingsustainabledevelopmentpoliciesandpracticesinagriculture,ruraldevelopment,forestry,fisheriesandfoodsecurity.TheassistanceprovidedbyUNFPAandWHOincludedfamilyplanningandpublichealthinitiatives,aswellasprogrammestopreventandcontrolcommunicablediseases.]

TheCommitteewouldalsoconsidertheSecretary-General’sreportonoffersbyMemberStatesofstudyandtrainingfacilitiesforinhabitantsofNon-Self-GoverningTerritories(documentsA/64/69,A/64/69/Corr.1andA/64/69/Corr.2),coveringtheperiod20March2008to24March2009.Thereportlists59MemberStatesandtheHolySeeashavingofferedtomakescholarshipsavailableforinhabitantsofNon-Self-GoverningTerritories.Fromthecurrentperiod,itdescribesoffersandawardsfromAlgeria,Argentina,Austria,Cuba,Mexico,NewZealand,andtheUnitedKingdom.

AreportoftheSecretary-GeneralonthequestionofWesternSahara(documentA/64/185)wasalsobeforedelegations.ItsummarizesthereportshesubmittedtotheSecurityCouncilfrom1July2008to30June2009onthematter.

Thepresentreportrecallsthat,followingtheendofthemandateoftheSecretary-General’sPersonalEnvoy,PetervanWalsum,inAugust2008,theSecretariatheldnumerousdiscussionswiththepartiesandotherinterestedactorsregardingafifthroundofnegotiations.InSeptember2008,theSecretary-GeneralmetwiththeMinisterforForeignAffairsandCooperationofMorocco,TaïbFassiFihri,anddiscussedwithhimhowbesttomovethenegotiatingprocessforward.TheUnder-Secretary-GeneralforPoliticalAffairs,B.LynnPascoe,visitedMoroccoon14and15October2008forfurtherdiscussionsontheissue.On4November,theSecretary-GeneralmetwiththeSecretary-GeneraloftheFrentePolisario,MohamedAbdelaziz.Atthosemeetings,theSecretary-GeneralreiteratedtothepartiesthecommitmentoftheUnitedNationstopursuingtheprocessofnegotiationsasmandatedbytheSecurityCouncilandemphasizedthefactthatfuturenegotiationswouldbuildontheprogressmadeinthefourroundsoftalksheldinManhasset,UnitedStatesofAmerica,andthathisnewPersonalEnvoywouldbeguidedbyCouncilresolution1813(2008)andearlierresolutions.

InJanuary2009,theSecretary-GeneralappointedChristopherRossashisnewPersonalEnvoy.Sincethen,Mr.RosshasheldconsultationswithrepresentativesofMoroccoandtheFrentePolisarioaswellaswithrepresentativesoftheneighbouringcountries,AlgeriaandMauritania,andwithotherinterestedcountries.From17to28Februaryandfrom22Juneto1July,heundertooktwomissionstotheregionforin-depthconsultationswiththepartiesandneighbouringStatesonwaystomovetheprocessofnegotiationsintoamoreintensiveandsubstantivephase.Inaddition,thePersonalEnvoyvisitedthecapitalsof

Spain,FranceandtheUnitedStatesasmembersoftheGroupofFriendsofWesternSaharaforconsultationsonthenegotiations.

Subsequenttohisexploratoryvisitstotheregion,thePersonalEnvoyinformedtheSecretary-Generalthat,duringhismeetingsinRabat,Tindouf,NouakchottandAlgiers,allofhisinterlocutorshadconfirmedtheircommitmenttocooperatingwiththeUnitedNationswithaviewtoreachingasolutiontotheissueofWesternSaharaassoonaspossible,asaprerequisiteforthestability,integrationanddevelopmentoftheregionandforthereturnoftheWesternSaharanrefugeestonormallife.ThePersonalEnvoyinformedtheSecretary-Generalthatthepositionsofthepartieshadnotchangedsincethefourthroundofnegotiations,heldatManhassetfrom16to18March2008,andremainedfarapartonwaystoachieveajust,lastingandmutuallyacceptablepoliticalsolutionthatwouldprovidefortheself-determinationofthepeopleofWesternSahara,ascalledforbytheSecurityCouncil(documentS/2008/251).

Thereportalsorecallsthemaintenanceoftheceasefire.TheSecretary-GeneralinformedtheSecurityCouncilthat,overall,thesituationremainedcalmintheTerritoryandthattheUnitedNationsMissionfortheReferenduminWesternSahara(MINURSO)continuedtoenjoygoodrelationswiththeparties.WithregardtohumanitarianactivitiesandeffortsledbythatofficeandoftheWorldFoodProgramme(WFP),theprovisionbyWFPof125,000monthlygeneralfeedingrationstoWesternSaharanrefugeescontinued,alongwithschoolfeedingandsupplementaryfeedingformalnourishedchildrenunderfiveyearsoldandforpregnantwomenandnursingmothers.Despitethoseefforts,anutritionassessmentstudyconductedinMay2008revealedthatmalnutritionremainedamajorprobleminthecamps.TheWFPandUNHCR(OfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees)hadlaunchedajointmissiontoenhancetheimpactoftheirnutritioninterventions.

Withregardtoconfidence-buildingmeasures,36round-tripfamilyvisitswereconductedbetweenApril2008andMarch2009,andfree-of-chargetelephoneservicebetweentherefugeesintheTindoufcampsandtheirfamilymembersintheTerritorycontinuedtobeprovidedthroughtelephonecentresinfourrefugeecamps.BetweenJanuary2004,whentheservicewaslaunched,andMarch2009,morethan105,705telephonecallsweremade.

Thereportalsorecallsthat,followingthetalksheldbetweentherepresentativesofMoroccoandtheFrentePolisarioinManhassetinMarch2008,andpursuanttoSecurityCouncilresolution1813(2008),UNHCRembarkedonaprocessofnegotiationstoexpandfamilyvisitsthroughlandtransportation,andwouldalsoconsiderintroducingadditionalactivities,includingjointsummercampsforchildrenfromtheTerritoryandtherefugeecamps,andspecialvisitsforsocialoccasionssuchasweddings,funeralsandtheHajj.

ThereportstatesthatinternationalhumanrightsorganizationshadreportedtheallegedharassmentandarrestofWesternSaharanhumanrightsandpoliticalactivistsbyMoroccanauthoritiesintheTerritory.Duringtheperiodunderreview,theSecretary-GeneraloftheFrentePolisarioexpressedconcerntotheSecretary-GeneralregardingallegedviolationsofthehumanrightsofWesternSaharansintheTerritory,andMoroccanmediareportedallegedhumanrightsabusesintheWesternSaharanrefugeecampsnearTindouf.Additionally,MoroccaninterlocutorsexpressedconcernoverthedeterioratinghumanitariansituationandallegedhumanrightsviolationsintheTindoufcamps.

ThereportalsorecallstheSecretary-General’sinvitationtothepartiestocontinuetheprocessofnegotiationsasstatedinthefinalcommuniquéissuedattheirfourthroundoftalks,andreiteratedbythePersonalEnvoyduringhisvisitstotheregioninFebruaryandJune2009.AtthePersonalEnvoy’ssuggestion,afirstinformalmeetingwasscheduledfor9to12August2009inAustria.

TheSecurityCouncilunanimouslyadoptedresolution1871(2009)on30April,whichcalleduponthepartiestocontinuetoshowpoliticalwillandworkinanatmospherepropitiousfordialogueinordertoenterintoamoreintensiveandsubstantivephaseofnegotiations,thusensuringimplementationofresolutions1754(2007),1783(2007)and1813(2008)andthesuccessofnegotiations.TheCouncilalsocalleduponthepartiestocontinuenegotiationsundertheauspicesoftheSecretary-Generalwithoutpreconditionsandingoodfaith,takingintoaccounttheeffortsmadesince2006andsubsequentdevelopments,withaviewtoachievingajust,lastingandmutuallyacceptablepoliticalsolution,whichwouldprovidefortheself-determinationofthepeopleofWesternSahara.Additionally,theSecurityCouncilextendedMINURSO’smandateuntil30April2010.

TheCommitteewouldalsoconsidertheSecretary-General’sreportonimplementationofdecolonizationresolutionsadoptedsincethedeclarationoftheFirstandSecondInternationalDecadesfortheEradicationofColonialism(documentA/64/70),whichstatesthat,atitssixty-thirdsession,theGeneralAssemblyadoptedresolution63/108A,inwhichitrequestedtheSecretary-GeneraltoreporttotheGeneralAssemblyatitssixty-fourthsessionontheimplementationofdecolonizationresolutionsadoptedsincethedeclarationoftheFirstandSecondInternationalDecadesfortheEradicationofColonialism.

Thereportfurtherstatesthat,inanoteverbaledated30January2009,theSecretary-GeneralbroughttheresolutiontotheattentionofMemberStatesandinvitedthemtoprovidetheinformationrequestedforinclusioninthereport.ThereportincludesrepliesfromMexico,RussianFederation,andtheUnitedKingdom.

StatementbyChairmanofSpecialCommittee

R.M.MARTYM.NATALEGAWA(Indonesia),ChairmanoftheSpecialCommitteeonDecolonization,saidthatsincetheUnitedNationsestablishment,nearly750millionpeoplehadexercisedtheirrighttoself-determinationandmorethan80once-colonizedterritorieshadgainedindependence.Yet,decolonizationremainedunfinishedbusiness;therewerestill16Non-Self-GoverningTerritoriesunderthepurviewoftheGeneralAssemblyatthemoment,whichwassimply16toomany.

HesaidthattheessentialtaskoftheUnitedNationsnowwastoacceleratethedecolonizationprocessinthoseremainingNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,inaccordancewiththeDeclaration,subsequentrelevantGeneralAssemblyresolutions,andtheUnitedNationsCharter.AnotheressentialtaskoftheGeneralAssemblywastoputthedecolonizationprocessinthecontextandthedynamicsofachangingworld,onacase-by-casebasis.SomeNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriescouldatpresentbesaidtohaveshownadecolonizationprocessinplace;otherTerritoriesmightbepreparedinthefuturetoplantheconstitutionalstepsthatcouldleadtoatransformationoftheirinternationalstatus;yet,atleastinonecase,therewerealsoinstancesofsetbacks,hesaid.

Theprocessofdecolonizationrequiredtheactiveinvolvementofallstakeholdersconcerned,hesaid.Italsorequiredrenewedcommitmenttomovebeyondbusinessasusual.Foritspart,theSpecialCommitteehadtakenacloserlookatthewayitdischargeditsmandates.Itmightbetruethatsomeofitsdeliberationsinpastyearscouldhavebeenmorein-depth,someworkingpapersmoreilluminating,andsomeresolutionsmorerefined.Atthesametime,itwasfairtosaythattheSpecialCommitteehadneverthelesssquarelysucceededinkeepingdecolonizationontheinternationalagenda.

Thisyear,theSpecialCommitteehadbeenparticularlyproductive,asitstrovetostrengthenthequalityofitsworkevenfurther,hesaid.Ithadincreaseditslevelofengagementandgenuinedialoguewithallstakeholders,includingtheadministeringPowers.Thatefforthadbeenreciprocatedtosomeextentbythestakeholdersconcerned,althoughtherewascertainlystillmuchspaceforfurtherenhancement.Ithadalsoendeavouredtoutilizeitsformalmeetingsinamoreefficient,effectiveandaccountablemanner,aswellasproduceaction-orientedrecommendationsduringitssubstantivesession.

Yet,theworkoftheSpecialCommitteewasonlyoneaspectoftheprocess;itwasnotfortheSpecialCommitteealonetopursuedecolonization,hesaid.Thatprocessrequireda

collaborativeeffortbytheinternationalcommunity,theadministeringPowersandtheNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,themselves.InvitingallpartnersandstakeholdersintotheprocesstoalsotakestepstoimprovethewaytheyconductedtheirworkinawaythatenhancedcooperationfromtheadministeringPowersremainedessential.Whilesomeprogresshadbeenmadeinthatareathisyear,therewasstillplentyofroomforimprovement.

StressingthatclosecooperationbetweentheadministeringPowersandtheSpecialCommitteewouldbenefitallpartiesconcerned,notleastthepeoplesoftheNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,hecalledupontheadministeringPowers,particularlythosewhohadnotdoneso,tointensify,inaconcreteway,theircooperationwiththeSpecialCommittee.Hestressedthattheinternationalcommunity,includingtheUnitedNationsfamilyoforganizations,fundsandprogrammes,shouldcontinuetoexplorewaysandmeansthroughwhichitcouldenhanceitssupport,onacase-by-casebasis,fordevelopmentintheTerritories,includingthecapacityforfullself-governance.

WhiletheSpecialCommitteehadmade–-andwouldcontinuetomake–-recommendationstotheGeneralAssembly,hesaiditwouldalsoliketoseekfurtherguidancefromtheinternationalcommunityonafuturecourseofactioninthedecolonizationprocessintoday’sworld,withitsmanynovelchallengesandopportunities.ThatwasparticularlycrucialinanticipationoftheconclusionoftheSecondInternationalDecade,attheendof2010.

IntroductionofReport

BASHARJA’AFARI(Syria),introducingthereportoftheSpecialCommittee(documentA/64/23)asthatbody’sRapporteur,saidthat,in2009,theSpecialCommitteehadcontinuedtoanalyzedevelopmentsintheremaining16Non-Self-GoverningTerritories.DuringitsregularsessionsandtheCaribbeanRegionalSeminarinFrigateBay,SaintKittsandNevis,inMay,itsworkhadbenefitedfromtheparticipationofrepresentativesfromNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,twoofthefouradministeringPowers,andastatementpreparedbyathirdadministeringPower,aswellasnon-governmentalorganizationsandexperts.Theseminar’sagendathisyearhadsoughttoidentifyapproachesandpracticalwaysofaddressingthechallengesandopportunitiesinthedecolonizationprocessinachangingworldduringtheremainderoftheSecondInternationalDecade.

HesaidthatpartofthatstrategyhadincludedthestrengtheningofcooperationwithadministeringPowersandencouragingtheparticipationofthepeopleofNon-Self-

GoverningTerritoriesintheSpecialCommittee’swork.TheSpecialCommitteehadalsosuccessfullyrevisitedtheformatoftheseminarreport,inordertobetterreflecttheoutcomesoftheseminar’sdeliberations.InchaptersIIItoXI,thereportfocusedonspecificthemesandoneachoftheNon-Self-GoverningTerritories.

Duringits2009session,theCommitteeconsideredsuchagendaitemsastheSecondInternationalDecade;informationtransmittedunderArticle73eoftheCharter;thedisseminationofinformationondecolonization;andeconomicandotheractivitiesthataffectedtheinterestofthepeopleoftheterritories,amongothers.TheSpecialCommittee’srecommendations,basedontheconstitutional,political,economic,socialandpublicinformation-relateddevelopmentsintheNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,werepresentedintheformofdraftresolutions,inchapterXII.

Statements

MAGEDABDELAZIZ(Egypt),speakingfortheNon-AlignedMovement,saidthatdecolonizationandtheexerciseofthelegitimaterighttoself-determinationhadalwaysbeen,andremained,atoppriorityontheNon-AlignedMovement’sagenda.Theexerciseoftherighttoself-determinationremainedvalidandessentialtoensuretheeradicationofallformsofcolonialismandforeignoccupation,andtoguaranteeuniversalrespectforhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedoms.Inthatregard,theMovementreaffirmeditssupportfortheaspirationsofallpeoplesundercolonialruletoexercisetheirrighttoself-determination,inaccordancewiththeCharterandUnitedNationsrelevantresolutions.

HesaidthattheMovementregrettedthat,despitealleffortsexertedbytheUnitedNationsanditsdifferentorganstoenddecolonizationandtoimplementtheDeclarationsince1960,decolonizationremainedincomplete,andmoreeffectiveeffortsfromtheinternationalcommunitywereneededtoachieveit.Colonialisminanyformormanifestation,includingeconomicexploitation,wasincompatiblewiththeCharter,theDecolonizationDeclaration,andtheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,andshouldbeeradicated.Accordingly,theMovementwasconvincedthattheeliminationofcolonialismhadbeenandwouldremainapriorityoftheUnitedNations,bearinginmindallrelevantGeneralAssemblyresolutions,particularlyresolution55/146declaringtheperiodof2001-2010aSecondInternationalDecadefortheEradicationofColonialism.

TheMovementurgedalladministratingPowerstopayfullcompensationfortheeconomic,socialandculturalconsequencesoftheiroccupation,inordertofulfiltherightofallpeoplewhohadbeen,orwerestill,subjectedtocolonialruleoroccupation,toreceivefair

compensationforthehumanandmateriallossestheysufferedasaresult.TheMovementcalledontheUnitedNationstoensurethateconomicandotheractivitiescarriedoutbytheadministratingPowersdidnotaffecttheinterestsofthepeoplesofNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,butinstead,promoteddevelopmentandassistedthemintheexerciseoftheirlegitimaterighttoself-determination.ItfurtherurgedMemberStatestofullyimplementthedecisionsandresolutionsofUNESCOconcerningthereturnofculturalpropertiestothepeopleswhohadbeenorstillwereundercolonialruleoroccupation.

JOSÉLUISCANCELA(Uruguay),speakingonbehalfofSouthernCommonMarket(MERCOSUR),renewedsupportforthelegitimaterightsofArgentinainthesovereigntydisputeoverthequestionoftheMalvinasIslands.HesupportedtheUnitedNationsdecolonizationprocessandsaidthatself-determinationwasthefairwayofdecolonizingtheTerritoriesinwhichthereexisteda“people”subjectedtoaliensubjugation,dominationandexploitation.However,decolonizationandself-determinationwere“notsynonyms”.AcaseinpointwastheMalvinasIslands,wheretherewasnotsucha“people”,butratherthedisruptionofthenationalunityandterritorialintegrityoftheArgentineRepublic.

HesaidthatthequestoftheMalvinasIslandsconstitutedaspecialandparticularcolonialsituationinvolvingasovereigntydisputebetweenArgentinaandtheUnitedKingdomasthesoleparties.In1833,theUnitedKingdomusurpedtheislandsandexpelledthenativeArgentinepopulation,preventingtheirreturn.ItthenreplacedthemwithtransplantedBritishinhabitants,whodidnotconformtothesubjugatedordominatedpeoplecriterion,givingrisetoa“colonialterritory”withnocolonizedpopulation.Theprincipleofself-determinationwasnotapplicabletothatcolonialsituation,ashadbeensetforthbyGeneralAssemblyresolutions2065(XX),3160(XXVII),31/49,37/9,38/12,39/6,40/21,41/40,42/19and43/25,andallthepronouncementsoftheSpecialCommitteesince1964.TheonlywaytoendthesovereigntydisputeonthequestionoftheMalvinasIslandswasthejust,peacefulandlastingsolutionthroughtheresumptionofthenegotiationsbetweenitstwoparties,ArgentinaandtheUnitedKingdom.

MERCOSURanditsassociatedStatesrecognizedthepermanentwillingnessofArgentinatoresumenegotiationstoreach,assoonaspossible,apromptsolutiontothesovereigntydisputeovertheMalvinasIslands,SouthGeorgiaandSouthSandwichIslandsandthesurroundingmaritimeareas,hesaid,callingontheUnitedKingdomtopromptlycomplywiththemandate,inaccordancewiththepertinentresolutionsoftheUnitedNationsandotherinternationalorganizationsandforums.

CLAUDEHELLER(Mexico),speakingonbehalfoftheRioGroup,reiteratedtheGroup’ssupportforthedecolonizationprocessandstressedtheimportanceofensuringthateverypersonintheworldcouldexercisetheirinalienablerightofself-determination,which

constitutedthecentralobjectiveoftheUnitedNationssinceitsfounding.OneofthemostsignificanttasksinthehistoryoftheOrganizationhadbeentheprocessofdecolonization,whichhadmadeitpossibleformanypeopletoachieveindependence.TheresultsoftheworkoftheSpecialCommitteehadbeensignificant,butthefactthat16Territoriesremainedclearlyshowedthatthedecolonizationprocesswasnotover.

HesaidthattheRioGroupreiterateditscommitmenttodecolonization,andheappealedonceagaintotheadministratingPowerstotakethenecessarystepstoachievethedecolonizationofeachandeveryoneofthe16Non-Self-GoverningTerritories,takingintoaccounttheirspecialandparticularsituations,onacase-by-casebasis.TheadministratingPowersshouldalsotransmittheappropriateinformationoneachoftheTerritoriesundertheiradministration.TheGroupappreciatedtheSpecialCommitteeforitstirelessefforts,andhopedtheGeneralAssemblywouldadopttherecommendationscontainedinitsreport.

HeurgedtheGovernmentsofArgentinaandtheUnitedKingdomtoresumenegotiations,withaviewtofinding,asquicklyaspossible,apeaceful,justanddefinitivesolutiontotheirsovereigntydispute,inaccordancewithrelevantresolutionsanddeclarations,andtoincludetheprincipleofterritorialintegrity.Moreover,itwasnecessarytotakeintoaccountthespecialproblemsofNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,suchashurricanesandothernaturaldisasters.TheGroupwascommittedtoeradicatingcolonialisminallitsforms,andhereiterateditsappealtoallMemberStatestocontinuetomakeapositivecontributiontoachievethatobjective.

DELANOFRANKBART(SaintKittsandNevis),speakingonbehalfofCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM),offeredfullsupportastheCommitteedealtcollectivelywiththemandateofthespecialpoliticalquestionsbeforeit.Particularfocusshouldbegiventoreviewingthedecolonizationmandateandtoascertaininganyprogressmadesincelastyear.Hereiterateddeepconcernthat,whilecertaininternalreformshadbeenenacted,preciouslittleprogresshadbeenmadeinactualdecolonization.Intheabsenceofprogress,CARICOMwasconcernedthatdecolonizationcontinuedtoslipfurtherdownonthelistofUnitedNationspriorities,aswasevidencedinthecontentofkeyUnitedNationsreports.

Continuingthatthread,hesaidtheannualReportoftheSecretary-GeneralontheWorkoftheOrganizationhadnotmadereferencetodecolonizationforseveralyears.Thefirstandonlyreportontheimplementationofdecolonizationresolutions,whichcovered1992tothepresent,totalledamerefivepagesandreliedsolelyonrepliesfromafewMemberStates.ItcontainednoinformationonUnitedNationssystemimplementation.Thatwasincontrasttodetailedreportsonotherissuesthatseemedtohavehigherpriority.

SincethebeginningoftheSecondInternationalDecade,CARICOMhadconsistentlybroughtanumberofitemstotheCommittee’sattention.In2001,forexample,ithadpointedoutthattheinformationdeficitondecolonizationwasmadeworsebythelackofreal,basicanalysisonconstitutional,politicalandeconomicsituationsintheTerritories,despitesuchanalysishavingbeencalledforduringtheFirstandSecondInternationalDecades.Mostelementsoftheplanofactionhadyettobecarriedout.Additionally,amidtermreviewconductedbyexpertsin2006hadrevealedlittleprogressinimplementation,anda2007UnitedNationsOfficeofInternalOversightreporthadconcludedUnitedNationsconsiderationofdecolonizationhadeffectivelystalled.

Moreover,in2008,CARICOMhademphasizedthatitwasthelackofimplementationofmeasuresadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblywhichremainedtherealimpedimenttodecolonisation,herecalled.Innovativemeasurestorestarttheprocess,suchastheuseofspecialmechanisms,successfullyemployedbyotherUnitedNationsbodies,were“curiouslyrejected”onbudgetarygrounds,eventhoughnobudgetaryimplicationswereidentified.

TheUnitedNationsworkoncontemporarydecolonizationprocessesremainedinastateofvirtualinertia,hesaid.Unlessfundamentalactionwastaken,theOrganizationwascomplicitinstymieingthelegitimateaspirationsofpeopleswhosehumanrightsitwascreatedtoprotectandfoster.However,decolonizationhadmovedfrom“anunfinishedagenda”toanunattendedone.Therepetitionofresolutionsandprocessesyearafteryear,andthepublicationofreportssatisfyingbureaucraticdeadlines,butlackingsufficientanalysis,werenothelpful.

Emergingfromthevacuumcreatedbythatpoliticalenvironmentwasanattempttoredefinethenon-self-governingstatusasthatofself-government,hecontinued.TheaimappearedtobethehurriedremovalofthoseTerritoriesfromtheUnitedNationslist,evenastheyremainednon-self-governing.Theinternationalcommunitycouldnotcountenancesuchacts,butmustdecideifitwasgoingtoremaintruetotherelevantprovisionsoftheCharter.Ifso,itwasnecessarytorestartthedormantdecolonizationprocess,orcapitulatetothedubiousargumentsthatjustifiedlegitimizationofcontemporarycolonization,declaringdecolonizationcompleteandthusabandoningthepeopleoftheTerritories.

SpeakingtothepoliticalcrisisintheTurksandCaicosIslands,hesaidthatCARICOMexpresseditsprofoundconcernanddisappointmentoverthedecisionoftheadministeringPowertodissolvetheGovernmentandlegislatureoftheTerritory,aswellastosuspendtherighttotrialbyjuryandtoreplacetheelectedGovernmentwithdirectrulebytheadministeringPower.

Theimpositionofdirectrulewasaregrettable,forcedstepbackwardsfortheTerritory,whichwasanassociatedmemberifCARICOM.ThedemocraticprocesscouldnotbestrengthenedbyremovinganelectedGovernment.Instead,itwouldhavebeenmoresustainabletoinvolvethepeopleoftheTerritorythroughtheirelectedrepresentativesintheeffortsrequiredtostrengthengoodgovernance.Inthatregard,CARICOMcalledfortheurgentrestorationoftheconstitutionalGovernmentoftheTerritory.

LIUZHENMIN(China)saidthathelpingcoloniesexercisetheirrighttoself-determinationremainedagoalthatMemberStatesstrovetoattain.MemberStateshadtheobligationtocareaboutthevitalinterestsofthe2millionpeoplelivinginthe16Non-Self-GoverningTerritoriesandtohelpthemachieveself-determination.Assuch,ChinaexpectedtheadministratingPowersandpartiesconcernedtocooperatemorecloselywiththeUnitedNations.

HesaidthatChinaalsosupportedeffortsbythepeoplesofNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriestoexercisetheirrighttoself-determination.ItwouldremainactivelyinvolvedintheworkoftheSpecialCommittee,inordertoaccomplishthegoalssetforthintheDecolonizationDeclaration.

MARÍAFERNANDAESPINOSA(Ecuador),associatingherselfwiththestatementsoftheNon-AlignedMovement,theRioGroup,andMERCOSUR,saidthattheprincipleofterritorialintegrityandthepeacefulsettlementofdisputeswerefundamentalpreceptsofforeignpolicyandwereenshrinedinEcuador’sConstitution.InitscapacityasaMemberStateoftheSpecialCommittee,EcuadorfirmlysupportedthesovereigntyofArgentinaovertheMalvinasIslands,GeorgiaIslandsandSandwichIslands,andsurroundingmaritimeareas.AspresidentoftheUnionofSouthAmericanNations(UNASUR),EcuadorheldthattheGeneralAssemblyandtheSpecialCommitteeexpresslyrecognizedtheexistenceofacolonialsituationintheMalvinas,makingitverydifferentfromclassicaldecolonization.ShereiteratedEcuador’sdesiretoseetheUnitedKingdomcomplywiththeUnitedNationsappealforajust,peacefulandlastingsolutiontothatsovereigntydispute.

ShereaffirmedsupportforGeneralAssemblyresolution1514concerningWesternSaharaandtherighttoself-determinationthroughthefreeandgenuinewilloftheSaharawipeople,andhopedthatnegotiationsbetweenthePolisarioandMoroccowouldcontinue.ShealsoexpressedhopethatthequestionofPuertoRicowouldcontinuetobedealtwith,andreaffirmedtheinalienablerightofthePuertoRicanpeopletoself-determinationandindependence.

Solvingthe16pendingcasesofdecolonizationwouldnotbepossiblewithoutassistancefromallparties–-theadministeringPowers,theTerritories,andtheentireinternationalcommunity,shesaid.EcuadorpledgedtoworkvigorouslyintheSpecialCommitteeandintheGeneralAssemblytoensurethatallthepeoplesoftheearthenjoyedindependenceandtherighttoself-determination.

PHILIPPARHAM(UnitedKingdom)saidtheBritishGovernment’srelationshipwithitsOverseasTerritorieswasamodernonebasedonpartnership,sharedvalues,andtherightofeachTerritorytodeterminewhetheritwishedtostaylinkedtotheUnitedKingdomornot.TheUnitedKingdomhadnointentionofimposingindependenceagainstthewillofthepeopleconcerned.Whereindependencewasanoptionandwastheclearandconstitutionally-expressedwishofthepeopleoftheTerritories,theBritishGovernmentwouldgiveeveryhelpandencouragementtothoseTerritoriestoachieveit.But,foraslongastheUnitedKingdom’sOverseasTerritorieswishedtoretainthelinktotheUnitedKingdom,theBritishGovernmentwouldremaincommittedtotheirfuturedevelopmentandcontinuedsecurity.

Hesaidthat,althoughthesituationineachTerritorywasdifferent,andsomeTerritorieswereatamoreadvancedstageofdevelopmentthanothers,theUnitedKingdomwouldcontinuetoworkwithalloftheTerritories,asappropriate,inareassuchasgoodgovernance,politicalandeconomictransparency,enhancedsecurityandreducedvulnerabilitytonaturalandman-madedisasters.BritishGovernmentMinistersanddemocratically-electedTerritoryleadershadregulardiscussionsonthoseandawiderangeofotherissuesofmutualinterest.TheywouldmeetforpoliticaltalksattheeleventhannualmeetingoftheOverseasTerritoriesConsultativeCouncilinLondon,on8and9December.

TheBritishGovernmentwasengagedinaconstitutionalreviewprocesswiththeTerritories,aimedatprovidingmodernconstitutionalframeworksreflectingthecircumstancesofeachTerritory,hesaid.TheBritishGovernmentcarefullyconsideredallproposalsforconstitutionalchangereceivedfromtheTerritories.Thosereviewshadupdatedprovisionsforexistingconstitutions,suchasgoodgovernanceandhumanrightsprovisions,andthoserelatingtotheroleoftheGovernorandlocally-electedpoliticians.TherehadbeenprogressonconstitutionalreviewwithmostOverseasTerritories.NewconstitutionshadcomeintoforceintheTurksandCaicosIslandsandGibraltarin2006,intheBritishVirginIslandsin2007,andintheFalklandIslandsandSaintHelenain2009.AnewCaymanIslandsConstitutionwouldenterintoforceinNovemberofthisyear.

MaintaininghighstandardsofprobityandgovernancewasafundamentalcornerstoneoftheUnitedKingdom’srelationshipwithalltheOverseasTerritoriesforaslongastheychosetoretainthelinktotheUnitedKingdom,hesaid,addingthatgoodgovernancehadbeenthe

centralthemeinallconstitutionaltalkswiththeTerritories.TheBritishGovernmenthadnowishtomicromanageitsrelationshipwithitsOverseasTerritories,andwascommittedtoallowingeachtorunitsownaffairstothegreatestdegreepossible.ButthatbroughtwithitresponsibilitiesonthepartofeachTerritory.WheredevelopmentsinaTerritorygaveriseforconcern,orwheretheUnitedKingdomfeltthataTerritorywasfailingtofulfiltheinternationalobligationsthatappliedtoit,itwouldnothesitatetoraisethatwiththeTerritoryGovernmentandtointervenewherenecessary.

TurningtodevelopmentsintheTurksandCaicosIslands,hesaidthattheBritishGovernment,indecidingtosuspendtheconstitutionalrighttotrialbyjury,didnottakesuchasteplightly.ThesuspensionwouldlastforaperiodofuptotwoyearstoallowtheGovernortorestoregoodgovernance,sustainabledevelopmentandsoundfinancialmanagementtotheislands.TheintentionoftheUnitedKingdomremainedthatelectionsshouldbeheldinJuly2011,ifnotsooner.

JORGEVALEROBRICEÑO(Venezuela),supportingthestatementsmadeonbehalfoftheNon-AlignedMovement,theRioGroup,andMERCOSUR,saidthatalthoughmorethanfourdecadeshadpassedsincetheadoptionofGeneralAssemblyresolution1514,therewerestillcolonialsituationsinthesouthernhemisphereandsomeTerritorieswerestillsubjectedtocolonialdominationoroccupation.Althoughsomeprogresshadbeenmade,thoseinstanceswereinviolationofinternationallawandhumanrights.TheSpecialCommitteewasofparticularimportancebecause,atpresent,16Non-Self-GoverningTerritorieswerestillawaitingdecolonization,andtheobjectivesproclaimedbytheGeneralAssemblyhadnotyetbeenachieved.Heresolutelysupportedtheself-determinationofpeoplesstrugglingtoachieveindependenceandrecalledthatthecasesoftheMalvinas,PuertoRicoandWesternSaharawerestillpending.

HereiteratedthesupportonbehalfofthePresidentofVenezuelaforthelegitimatesovereignrightsofArgentinaoverSouthGeorgiaandtheSouthSandwichIslandsandthesurroundingmaritimeareas,andurgedtheUnitedKingdomandArgentinatocontinuenegotiationsandfind,asamatterofurgency,ajust,peacefulanddefinitivesolutiontotheirsovereigntydispute.

Hesupportedthecauseofdecolonization,inparticulartheinalienablerightsofthepeopleofPuertoRico,astheyhad“averyspecialnationalidentity”.ThefinaldocumentofthesummitoftheNon-AlignedMovementofJuly2009hadissuedanappealtoassumeresponsibilitytopromotetheprocesstoenablethepeopleofPuertoRicotherighttoindependence.TheUnitedStatesGovernmentmusthandoverallofthelandandinstitutionsofthepeopleofPuertoRicoandreleasepoliticalprisonersrelatedtotheirstruggleforindependence.Hereiteratedcondemnationforthebrutaloppression

unleashedagainsttheindependencemovement,alsostronglycondemningthe2005killingofFilibertoOjeda.Finally,herecognizedthe“independentGovernmentoftheSaharawipeople”,andcalledforajust,lastingandpeacefulsolutioninWesternSahara.

BASOSANGQU(SouthAfrica)wasconcernedthattheSaharawipeoplestillcouldnotexercisetheirrighttoself-determination.Indeed,WesternSaharahadbeenontheUnitedNationslistofNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriessince1963.TheGeneralAssemblyhadconsistentlyrecognizedtheSaharawipeople’srighttoself-determinationandindependenceandhadcalledfortheexerciseofthatright,inlinewithresolution1514(XV)(1960).ThecontinuedoccupationofWesternSaharabyMoroccochallengedtheprinciplesoftheUnitedNationsCharterandtheauthorityoftheOrganization.SouthAfricastoodbytheAfricanUnionpositionthattheinalienablerightofthoseinWesternSaharatoself-determinationandindependencewasnotnegotiable,citinga1975InternationalCourtofJusticeadvisoryopinionandGeneralAssemblyresolution34/37(1979).

NotingthattheSecurityCouncilhadsoughtasolutionthatincludedthepossibilityofaUnitedNations-supervisedreferendum,hereaffirmedSouthAfrica’ssupportfortheSecretary-General’seffortstoachieveajust,lastingandmutually-acceptablepoliticalsolution.Inaddition,hewasconfidentthattheManhassetnegotiationscouldproducepositiveresultsand,thus,calledonMoroccoandtheSaharawipeoplerepresentedbythePopularFrontfortheLiberationofSaguiael-HamraandRiodeOro(FrentePolisario)toredoubletheirefforts.CallingontheUnitedNationstoupholditsCharterprinciples,includingontheprotectionofhumanrights,heurgedtheSecretary-Generaltoinvestigatereportsintoincidentsofhumanrightsabuse.

HesaidthatSouthAfricasupportedeffortstofindajust,lastingandmutually-acceptablesolutionthatallowedfortheself-determinationofSaharawis,andremainedfullycommittedtoensuringthattheirdignitywasfullyrestored.TheUnitedNationsMissionfortheReferenduminWesternSahara(MINURSO)wascrucialtothepeaceprocess,andSouthAfricasupportedtheadoptionofaresolutiononWesternSaharathatreiteratedtheprinciplesofself-determinationanddecolonization.

RODOLFOELISEOBENÍTEZVERSÓN(Cuba),notingthat2010markedtheendoftheSecondInternationalDecade,saidhewasconcernedatthecontinuedrefusalofcertainadministeringPowerstocooperatewiththeCommittee,indisregardoftheirCharterobligations.HecalledonthosePowerstocooperatefullywiththeCommittee.AlsoconcernedatthesituationintheTurksandCaicosIslandsaftertheadministeringPower’sdecisiontoabolishpartsoftheConstitution,CubacalledforthereinstatementoftheconstitutionalGovernment,pursuanttothe2006ConstitutionalOrder.OnPuertoRico,hedrewattentiontoaresolutionadoptedinJunethatrecognizedPuertoRicans’inalienable

righttoself-determinationandindependence,sayingthattheCommitteehadalreadyadopted28resolutionsanddecisionsconcerningthatnation.HecalledontheUnitedStatestoexpediteaprocessthatwouldallowPuertoRicanstofullyexercisethatright.ResolutionsadoptedbytheCommitteemustbeimplemented.

ConcerningWesternSahara,hesaidthattheUnitedNationshadreaffirmedthattheconflictwasaquestionofdecolonization.TheSaharawipeoplehadarighttodeterminetheirfuture.NotingthatfournegotiatingroundsandoneinformalmeetinghadtakenplaceundertheSecretary-General’sauspices,hehopedthatthepartieswouldcontinuetoworktowardsasolutionthatguaranteedSaharawistherighttoself-determination,inlinewiththeCharterandGeneralAssemblyresolution1514(XV).Atthesametime,CubareiterateditssupporttoArgentina’slegitimaterightinthedisputeovertherelativesovereigntyoftheMalvinasIslands(FalklandIslands),whichwerepartofitsnationalterritory.Hecalledforanegotiated,justanddefinitivesolutiontothatquestion.CubawouldcontinueprovidingstudyopportunitiestoinhabitantsofNon-Self-GoverningTerritories,andhecalledonotherStatestodolikewise.Finally,hestressedthatNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriescouldbenefitfromthesupportofspecializedagenciesandinternationalbodieslikedtotheUnitedNations.

PAULBADJI(Senegal)saidthatneartheendoftheSecondInternationalDecade,itwaspossibletosay,withoutanyriskoferror,thatdecolonizationwasoneofthemostsuccessfulissuesattheUnitedNations.AnumberofTerritories,however,werestillnon-self-governing,andhisdelegationwantedtomakeanurgentappealtoalloftheactorsoftheinternationalcommunitytoenablethepeopleoftheNon-Self-GoverningTerritoriesthefreedomtoexpresstheirwillinaccordancewiththerelevantresolutionsoftheUnitedNations.Inthatregard,hisdelegationechoedthestatementsmadeatthebeginningofthemeetingbytheChairmanandRapporteuroftheSpecialCommittee.ItalsosupportedthestatementmadebyEgyptonbehalfoftheNon-AlignedMovement.

HesaidthatthequestionofWesternSahararemainedamatterofparticularconcerntoSenegal.Thecurrentsituationinthatdisturbingcasecouldnotbeamatterofsatisfactiontoanyofthepartiesdirectlyconcerned.Hesoughtamutually-acceptablepoliticalsolutiononthestrengthofSenegal’sfirmsupportfortheinitiativeoftheMoroccanparty,aimedatgrantingbroadautonomytoWesternSahara,butwithintheframeworkofsovereignrespecttoMorocco.Morocco’sreasonableproposalseemedtheonlynewpositivedynamicandofferedthebestprospectsforafinal,mutually-acceptablesolution.HereaffirmedhiscommitmenttostrengtheningandconsolidatingfraternalrelationsamongallthecountriesoftheMagrebandtheentireAfricancontinent.Senegalbelieveditwasimperativetodiscourageallformsofseparatism,whichthreatenedstabilityindifferentpartsoftheworld.Inthatspirit,hisdelegationreaffirmeditssupportfortheSecretary-Generaland

SpecialEnvoyChristopherRossintheircommendableinitiativestobringaboutajustandlastingsolutiontotheproblem.

ZACHARYD.MUBURIMUITA(Kenya)saidthatastheSecondInternationalDecadecametoaclose,thetaskwasnotyetcomplete,andheurgedtheFourthCommitteetoredoubleitseffortsatpromotingtheimplementationoftheDeclaration.FulfillingtheUnitedNationsdecolonizationmandaterequiredacollaborativeeffort,andheencouragedtheSpecialCommitteetopursuegenuinedialogueaimedatfindingfresh,concreteandmorecreativewaystoeradicatecolonialism.

HealsoappealedforthecooperationoftheadministeringPowers,sayingthattheyshouldfacilitateUnitedNationsspecialmissionstotheTerritoriesundertheiradministration.TheyshouldcooperatebyregularlytransmittinginformationonconditionsintheTerritories,forwhichtheywereresponsible,takingintoconsiderationthattheyhadanobligationtopromotethesocio-economicandeducationaladvancementofthepeoplesofthoseTerritories.TheTerritories’naturalresourcesweretheheritageoftheirpeoples,sothereshouldbenoactivitiesthatharmedtheirrightsorinterests.

Recognizingtherightsofeverypeopletomaintainandconservetheirnationalheritageasabasisoftheirculturalidentity,heurgedtheadministeringPowerstofullyimplementthedecisionsandresolutionsofUNESCOconcerningtherestitutionofculturalpropertiestotherightfulownersstillundercolonialoccupation.OnthequestionofWesternSahara,KenyasupportedcontinuednegotiationsundertheauspicesoftheUnitedNationsSecretaryGeneral,takingintoaccounttheeffortsmadesince2006andrecentdevelopments.Thatwastheonlypathtoachievingajust,lastingandmutuallyacceptablesolution.

KAIREMUNIONGANDAMBUENDE,(Namibia),saidthattherighttoself-determinationwasafundamentalhumanrightanditwasdeplorablethat,uptothisdate,colonialismstillremainedanissueforthisCommittee.HecalledontheadministeringPowerstospeeduptheprocessofgrantingindependencetothepeoplesoftheTerritories.HefurtherurgedtheUnitedNationsandtheFourthCommittee,inparticular,toleave“nostoneunturned”initseffortstobringaspeedyendtocolonialismandforeignoccupation.

HesaidNamibiawasdeeplyconcernedaboutthecontinuousoccupationofthePalestinianland.DespitemanyUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyandSecurityCouncilresolutions,thequestionofPalestineremainedunsolved.TheinternationalcommunityhadtheresponsibilitytoensurethatthepeopleofPalestinerealizedtheirinalienablerighttoself-determinationandstatehood.He,therefore,urgedtheUnitedNationsto“actdecisively”byimplementingitsownresolutionsinordertobringaboutalastingandcomprehensive

solution.HeurgedtheGovernmentofIsraeltoabandonallillegalactivitiesandpromotepeacefulnegotiationsbasedonUnitedNationsresolutionsandtheQuartetRoadMapastheonlyviableoptionforatwo-Statesolution,withIsraelandPalestinelivingside-by-sideandwithinsecureborders.HecalledonIsraeltoliftthe“unjustsiege”imposedontheGazaStrip,whichcompoundedthealreadybadsocial,economic,andhumanitariansituationintheOccupiedPalestinianTerritory.

Inthesamevein,hesaidthatNamibiawasseriouslyconcernedaboutthequestionofWesternSahara,andurgedtheUnitedNationstoassumeitsfullresponsibilityoverthatTerritory.HeencouragedthestrengtheningoftheUnitedNationsMissionfortheReferenduminWesternSaharatoenableittocontinuemonitoringtheceasefireandhumanrightsviolationsinWesternSahara.HecalledfortheimmediateandunconditionalimplementationoftheUnitedNationsSettlementPlanforWesternSaharaandallresolutionsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheSecurityCouncil,withtheaimofholdingafreeandfairreferendum.

HASANKLEIB(Indonesia),associatinghimselfwiththestatementoftheNon-AlignedMovement,expressedsupportforthepertinentpointsraisedbytheChairmanoftheSpecialCommittee.Therighttoself-determinationandrespectforterritorialintegrityofMemberStateswerefundamentaltotheprocessofdecolonization.Itwasnecessarytorevivethatprocessandapplyitintoday’scontextwithoutundoingwhathadbeendeliberated,decidedandagreeduponbytheGeneralAssembly.Decolonizationwasapoliticalprocess,withthegoalofreachingapermanentpoliticalsolution,asfreelydeterminedbythepeopleconcernedandinaccordancewiththeUnitedNationsCharter.

AsamemberoftheSpecialCommitteeof24onDecolonization,heencouragedallMemberStates,particularlytheadministeringPowersthathadnotdoneso,aswellasthespecializedagenciesandotherinstitutionswithintheUnitedNationssystem,tolendtheirfullsupporttotheSpecialCommittee’swork.AnticipatingtheconclusionoftheSecondInternationalDecadeinDecember2010,hecalledforpositiveconsiderationofaThirdDecade,tobeequippedwithaplanofactionthatwouldbefeasible,action-oriented,measurableandinfullaccordancewiththeguidingdocumentsoftheUnitedNationsdecolonizationprocess.

NELSONSANTOS(Timor-Leste)saidthatagainstthebackdropofasimilarpast,hiscountryhadcloselyfollowedthequestionofWesternSahara.AllofthepartiesinvolvedwerewellawarethatthepeopleofWesternSaharawerereadytoachievefreedom.Theircurrentexperiencewasnodifferentfromthatofhiscountry--theywerebeingdeniedthefreeandfairactofself-determinationbecausecolonizersalwaysbentthetruth.EveryonehadhearddozensoftimesthattherightofdeterminationofWesternSaharawasclearlyrecognizedbytheUnitedNations,thatthereshouldbeastrictrespectoftherightofthepeopleof

WesternSaharatoself-determination.SenegalinparticularwelcomedtheappointmentofSpecialEnvoyChristopherRoss,andfullysupportedhiseffortstofindajustandpeacefulsolution.NowitwastimetoputanendtotheinjusticeinflictedonthepeopleofWesternSaharaandtothehumanrightsabusesandsufferingofthepeopleoftheoccupiedWesternSahara.Itwasalsocriticalthatallpartiesabidedbyinternationallawandobligations.

RUHAKANARUGUNDA(Uganda),associatinghimselfwiththestatementoftheNon-AlignedMovement,expressedconcernthattheprocessofdecolonizationhadnotyetbeensuccessfullyconcluded.ThelackofresolutiontothequestionofWesternSaharawasunacceptableandmustbeaddressed,withtherequisiteattentionofallMemberStates.HeremainedconvincedthatonlytheSaharawipeopleshouldunconditionallydecidetheirownfuture.CommendingtheSecretary-General’sSpecialEnvoyforhisnegotiationefforts,inaccordancewithpertinentresolutions,hefurtherexpressedappreciationforthecommitmentbythetwoparties,MoroccoandPolisario,tocontinuenegotiationsassoonaspossible,callingonbothpartiestoovercometheobstaclestoaresolutionofthematter.

HealsoexpressedcontinuingconcernoverreportsofhumanrightsviolationsinWesternSahara,andcalledforstepstoensurethathumanrightsintheregionweremonitoredandprotected.TheSecretary-General’sreportaffirmingtheOrganization’scommitmenttothatgoalwaswelcome.HewasalsoconcernedaboutreportsabouttheillegalexploitationoftheresourcesofWesternSahara,andsaidthatthosemeritedseriousattention.“TheillegalexploitationofthenaturalresourcesofWesternSaharashouldstopandthoseresponsiblebeheldaccountable,”hesaid.

Followingthatstatement,theCommitteedecidedtograntanumberofrequestsforhearings,includingonerequestonthequestionofGibraltar(documentA/C.4.64/2);sevenrequestsonthequestionofGuam(documentsA/C.4/64/3andaddenda1to7);tworequestsonthequestionoftheUnitedStatesVirginIslands(documentsA/C.4/64/4andaddenda1);84requestsonthequestionofWesternSahara(documentA/C.4/64/5andaddenda1to83);andonerequestonthequestionofNewCaledonia(documentA/C.4/64/6).TheCommitteealsodecidedtohearthepetitionersonTuesdayandWednesday,6and7October.

RightsofReply

Exercisingtherightofreply,therepresentativeoftheUnitedKingdom,respondingtothestatementbyMexico’srepresentativeonbehalfoftheRioGroup,andUruguay’sspeakeronbehalfofMERCOSUR,saidthatitspositionontheFalklandIslandswaswellknown.The

UnitedKingdomhadnodoubtaboutitssovereigntyintheFalklandIslandsandthattherecouldbenonegotiationsonthematteruntilsuchtimeas“theislanderssowished”.

InresponsetoremarksmadebySaintKittsandNevisonbehalfofCARICOM,andbyCuba,therepresentativesaidtheissueoftheterritorialGovernmentoftheTurksandCaicosIslandswasaseriousconstitutionalmeasurethatwasnottakenlightly.ThatarrangementwouldlastfortwoyearsandwouldallowtheGovernmenttosustainsoundfinancialmanagementuntilelectionswereheldinJuly2011,“ifnotsooner”.

RespondingtothestatementbytheUnitedKingdom’sspeakeronthequestionoftheMalvinas,therepresentativeofArgentinareiteratedthattheMalvinaswereanintegralpartofArgentinaandwereillegitimatelyoccupiedbytheUnitedKingdom.ThesovereigntydisputebetweenthetwocountrieshadbeenrecognizedbydiverseorganizationsandinnumerousUnitedNationsresolutions.SuchresolutionsurgedbothGovernmentstoresumenegotiationstofindapeacefulandlastingsolutiontotheirdispute

Important links for better understanding of the agenda:

http://www.caribank.org/uploads/publications-reports/research/conference-papers/development-strategy-forum/Governance%20Dependency%20and%20future%20Political%20Development.pdf

http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1073&context=ilj

https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/1810/229792/RCSEC1956AEP.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

http://www.jstor.org/stable/2704736?seq=1#page_scan_tab_cont

ents