Question of Anguilla : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of Anguilla,

Having examined the relevant chapters of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,

Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and all other resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to Anguilla, including in particular General Assembly resolution 41/17 of 31 October 1986,

Conscious of the need to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration in respect of the Territory,

Noting that the Constitutional Review Committee, which was appointed in October 1985, held a series of public meetings in 1986 in the Territory and with Anguillians residing in the United States Virgin Islands, and noting that the territorial Government recognizes the need to replace the outdated edition of the laws pertaining to the Territory,

Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of the Territory and bearing in mind the necessity of diversifying and strengthening further its economy as a matter of priority in order to promote economic stability,

Reaffirming the responsibility of the administering Power to promote the economic and social development of the Territory,

Noting that the economy of the Territory grew in 1985 mainly as a result of an expansion in tourism, and that, while recommending restrictions on foreign investment and tourism, the Government of Anguilla recognizes the importance of balanced sectoral growth and continues to give the highest priority to the development of the Territory's economic and social infrastructure,

Expressing its concern over the illegal operation of foreign fishing vessels within the territorial waters of Anguilla and its offshore fishing banks and welcoming, in view of the importance of the fishing industry to the diversification of the economy, the intention of the Government of Anguilla to introduce appropriate legislation to conserve the Territory's fish stocks,

Emphasizing the importance of elaborating an appropriate strategy for the efficient production and marketing of salt,

Underlining the need for effective instruments to regulate the commercial banking system and noting in that connection the Territory's decision to join the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank,

Noting with satisfaction the contributions of the United Nations Development Programme, the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to the development of the Territory,

Noting the continued participation of the Territory in the Caribbean Group for Co-operation in Economic Development,

Recalling the dispatch in 1984 of a United Nations visiting mission to the Territory,

Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the small Territories and considering that the possibility of sending a further visiting mission to Anguilla at an appropriate time should be kept under review,

1.         Approves the chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to Anguilla;

2.         Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of Anguilla to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples;

3.         Reiterates the view that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and limited natural resources should in no way delay the speedy exercise by the people of the Territory of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration, which fully applies to Anguilla;

4.         Reiterates that it is the responsibility of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power, to create such conditions in Anguilla as will enable its people to exercise freely and without interference, from a well-informed standpoint as to the available options, their inalienable right to self-determination and independence in accordance with resolution 1514 (XV), and all other relevant resolutions of the General Assembly;

5.         Reaffirms that it is ultimately for the people of Anguilla themselves to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration and, in that connection, reaffirms the importance of fostering an awareness among the people of the Territory of the possibilities open to them in the exercise of their right to self-determination and independence;

6.         Calls upon the administering Power, in co-operation with the Government of Anguilla, to continue to strengthen the economy of the Territory and to increase its assistance to programmes of diversification;

7.         Urges the administering Power, in co-operation with the territorial Government, to continue the assistance necessary to increase employment of the local population in the civil service, as well as in managerial, technical and other sectors of the economy;

8.         Reiterates its request to the administering Power to continue to enlist the assistance of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as other regional and international bodies, in the development and strengthening of the economy of Anguilla;

9.         Urges the administering Power, in co-operation with the territorial Government, to take effective measures to safeguard, guarantee and ensure the rights of the people of Anguilla to own and dispose of their natural resources and to establish and maintain control over their future development;

10.       Requests the administering Power to continue to make every effort to facilitate and encourage the participation of the Territory in regional and international organizations, including the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

11.       Requests the Special Committee to continue the examination of this question at its next session, including the possible dispatch of a further visiting mission to Anguilla at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Power, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-third session.