Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands
Publisher | UN General Assembly |
Author | UN General Assembly |
Publication Date | 25 November 1992 |
Citation / Document Symbol | A/RES/47/27 |
Reference | 72nd plenary meeting |
Cite as | UN General Assembly, Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands, 25 November 1992, A/RES/47/27, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3b00f21d30.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
The General Assembly,
Having considered the questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands,
Having examined the relevant 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,
Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and all resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to those Territories, including, in particular, those resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session on the individual Territories covered by the present resolution,
Recalling also its resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960, containing the principles which should guide Member States in determining whether or not an obligation exists to transmit the information called for under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations,
Conscious of the need to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration in respect of those Territories, in view of the target set by the United Nations to eradicate colonialism by the year 2000,
Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of each Territory, and bearing in mind the necessity of promoting economic stability and diversifying and strengthening further the economies of the respective Territories as a matter of priority,
Conscious of the particular vulnerability of the small Territories to natural disasters and environmental degradation,
Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide a means of ascertaining the situation in the small Territories, and considering that the possibility of sending further visiting missions to those Territories at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Powers should be kept under review,
Noting with appreciation the contribution to the development of some Territories by specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, as well as regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank,
Bearing in mind the fragile economy of the small Territories and their vulnerability to natural disasters and environmental degradation, and recalling General Assembly resolutions and the recommendations of the Meeting of Governmental Experts of Island Developing Countries and Donor Countries and Organizations held in New York from 25 to 29 June 1990,
Recalling the conclusions and recommendations of the United Nations regional seminars on decolonization held in 1990 in observance of the thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, as well as the position taken by the territorial Governments contained in the reports of the seminars,
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 American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands;
2. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of those Territories to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples;
3. Reaffirms also that it is ultimately for the people of those Territories themselves to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, the Declaration and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and, in that connection, calls upon the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial Governments, to facilitate programmes of political education in the Territories in order to foster an awareness among the people of the possibilities open to them in the exercise of their right to self-determination, in conformity with the legitimate political status options clearly defined in General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV);
4. Reiterates that it is the responsibility of the administering Powers to create such conditions in the Territories as will enable their people to exercise freely and without interference their inalienable right to self-determination and independence;
5. Reiterates the view that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and limited natural resources should in no way serve as a pretext to delay the speedy exercise by the peoples of those Territories of their inalienable right to self-determination;
6. Reaffirms the responsibility of the administering Powers under the Charter to promote the economic and social development and to preserve the cultural identity of those Territories, and recommends that priority should continue to be given, in consultation with the territorial Governments concerned, to the strengthening and diversification of their respective economies;
7. Urges the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial Governments concerned, to take or continue to take effective measures to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable right of the peoples of those Territories to own, develop or dispose of the natural resources of those Territories, including marine resources, and to establish and maintain control over the future development of those resources;
8. Also urges the administering Powers to take all necessary measures to protect and conserve the environment of the Territories under their administration against any environmental degradation, and requests the specialized agencies concerned to continue to monitor environmental conditions in those Territories;
9. Calls upon the administering Powers to continue to take all necessary measures, in cooperation with the respective territorial Governments, to counter problems related to drug trafficking;
10. Urges the administering Powers to foster or continue to foster close relations between the Territories and other island communities in their respective regions, and to promote cooperation between the respective territorial Governments and regional institutions, as well as the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system;
11. Also urges the administering Powers to cooperate or continue to cooperate with the Special Committee in its work by providing timely and up-to-date information for each Territory under their administration, in accordance with Article 73 e of the Charter, and by facilitating the dispatch of visiting missions to the Territories to secure first-hand information thereon and to ascertain the wishes and aspirations of the inhabitants;
12. Appeals to the administering Powers to continue or to resume their participation in future meetings and activities of the Special Committee and to ensure the participation in the work of the Special Committee of representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories;
13. Urges Member States to contribute to the efforts of the United Nations to achieve the eradication of colonialism by the year 2000, and calls upon them to continue to give their full support to the action of the Special Committee towards the attainment of that objective;
14. Invites the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to initiate or to continue to take all necessary measures to accelerate progress in the social and economic life of the Territories;
15. Requests the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in formulating their assistance programmes, to take due account of the text entitled "Challenges and opportunities: a strategic framework", which was adopted unanimously by the Meeting of Governmental Experts of Island Developing Countries and Donor Countries and Organizations;
16. Requests the Special Committee to continue the examination of the question of the small Territories and to recommend to the General Assembly the most suitable steps to be taken to enable the populations of those Territories to exercise their right to self-determination and independence, and to report thereon to the Assembly at its forty-eighth session.
B
INDIVIDUAL TERRITORIES
I.American Samoa
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United Sta tes of America, as the administering Power,
Noting the establishment of a new Political Status and Constitutio nal Review Commission by the Governor and the Fono, the legislature of the Territory,
Noting the need to diversify and develop the economy of the Territ ory through the expansion of the existing small and service-oriented industries as well as through the development of commercial fishing and the tourism industry,
Noting also the devastation caused by hurricane Val in December 19 91 and the recovery efforts of the territorial Government in conjunction with the administering Power and the international community,
Recalling the dispatch in 1981 of a United Nations visiting missio n to the Territory,
1. Welcomes the establishment of a new Political Status and Constitutional Review Commission created under executive order by the Governor in August 1992;
2. Calls upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to continue to promote the economic and social development of the Territory in order to reduce its heavy economic and financial dependence on the United States of America;
3. Urges the administering Power to continue to support measure s by the territorial Government aimed at promoting the diversification of the economy and the development of the existing industries, particularly commercial fishing and tourism;
4. Calls upon the administering Power to continue to provide the Territory with the necessary assistance, through a number of its agencies, to reconstruct the many public facilities and thousands of family dwellings destroyed or heavily damaged by hurricane Val;
5. Notes that a period of eleven years has elapsed since a United Nations mission visited the Territory.
II.Anguilla
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power,
Aware of the desire of the people of Anguilla for a higher level of self-government,
Taking note of the statement by the administering Power that it would help the people of Anguilla to become independent when and if that was their constitutionally expressed wish,
Noting the reaction of the political leaders to the abolishment of the death penalty by the administering Power and the statement of the Chief Minister on this question,
Noting the admission of the Territory as an observer in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in 1991,
Noting that the unemployment rate in the Territory fell from 27 per cent in 1984 to 1.1 per cent in 1989, that salaries and allowances in the public sector have risen substantially since 1984 and that the number of posts has increased by 34 per cent since 1985,
Aware of the inability of Anguilla's educational system to alleviate the problem of scarcity of skilled national personnel, particularly in the fields of economic management and tourism, and that educational reform is of paramount importance to the achievement of the long-term economic goals of the Territory,
Noting further that the Government's Public Sector Investment Programme for 1991-1995, estimated at 35 million United States dollars, is expected to be financed by external donors through grants and concessional loans,
Taking into account the main development objectives established by the Territory's Executive Council, namely, the improved management of the economy through a more efficient public sector, the strategic development of human resources through the reform of the educational and training systems and the development of integrated policies of physical infrastructural improvements, as well as the preservation of the natural environment,
Recognizing the contribution of the marine resources of Anguilla to its local economy,
Recalling the dispatch in 1984 of a United Nations visiting mission to the Territory,
1. Takes note of the statement of the Chief Minister that the Government of Anguilla has no intention of moving towards independence during its current term of office;
2. Notes with concern that the administering Power continues to deny further delegation of competence over the special areas of responsibility of the Governor to ministers of the territorial Government prior to setting a time-frame for independence;
3. Calls upon the administering Power to consult with, and take into account the wishes of, the Government and the people of Anguilla prior to taking any decision likely to impact on their livelihood;
4. Welcomes the admission of the Territory as an observer in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and requests the administering Power to facilitate the Territory's participation in other regional and/or international organizations;
5. Commends the territorial Government for the virtual full- employment situation prevailing in the Territory, and for the increases in the salaries and number of posts in the public sector over the past years;
6. Notes with concern the incapacity of Anguilla's educational system to supply the Territory's labour market with skilled managers, particularly in the areas of economic management and tourism;
7. Calls upon the administering Power, as well as other Member States and international organizations, to afford or continue to afford the Government of Anguilla training possibilities for its staff in that respect;
8. Invites the international donor community to contribute generously to the Government's Public Sector Investment Programme for 1991-1995 and to grant the Territory all possible assistance to enable it to reach the main development objectives established by the Executive Council of the Territory;
9. Welcomes the measures taken by the territorial Government to protect and conserve marine resources and to control the activities of foreign fishermen operating illegally in the area;
10. Calls upon the administering Power to provide the Territory with the necessary assistance to mitigate the adverse effects of hurricane Hugo and to facilitate the provision of additional assistance and funds from international organizations and specialized agencies to the Territory;
11. Notes that a period of eight years has elapsed since a United Nations mission visited the Territory and calls upon the administering Power to facilitate the dispatch of a further visiting mission to Anguilla.
III.Bermuda
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power,
Noting with satisfaction the programme of Economic Stability and Responsible Management undertaken by the Government and the steps taken to offset a decline in revenue from tourism,
Noting a marked increase in unemployment in the Territory,
Noting with concern an increase in the illegal drug trade in the Territory,
Reaffirming its strong conviction that the presence of military bases and installations in the Territory could, in certain circumstances, constitute an obstacle to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,
Noting that the Territory has never been visited by a United Nations visiting mission,
1. Expresses the view that it is ultimately for the people of Bermuda to decide their own future;
2. Requests the administering Power to assist the territorial Government in the implementation of its programme of Economic Stability and Responsible Management with a view to reducing the impact of the recession on the economy of the Territory and the unprecedented increase in unemployment;
3. Calls upon the administering Power to continue to take all necessary measures, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to counter problems related to drug trafficking;
4. Also calls upon the administering Power to ensure that the presence of military bases and installations in the Territory would not constitute an obstacle to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples nor hinder the population of the Territory from exercising its right to self-determination and independence in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
5. Further calls upon the administering Power to facilitate the dispatch of a United Nations visiting mission to the Territory.
IV.British Virgin Islands
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power,
Noting the participation of the Territory as an associate member in some regional and international organizations,
Noting also the application of the Territory for membership in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
Taking into account that, according to the annual report of the Caribbean Development Bank for 1990, there has been sustained growth in the economy of the Territory, and noting the measures taken by the territorial Government to develop the agricultural and industrial sectors,
Noting that the Territory might graduate to net-contributor status in the fifth programming cycle of the United Nations Development Programme, thereby requiring the Territory to contribute to the financing of its projects,
Noting also that the Caribbean Development Bank has reported that the scarcity of skilled manpower is the single most important constraint to the realization of the full development potential of the economy of the Territory,
Noting further that the United Nations Children's Fund is considering the continuation beyond 1992 of its five-year Multi-island Programme, which has funded educational projects in the British Virgin Islands,
Recognizing the measures being taken by the territorial Government to prevent drug trafficking and money laundering,
1. Welcomes the admission of the British Virgin Islands as an associate member of the Caribbean Community;
2. Reiterates its call upon the administering Power to facilitate the admission of the Territory to associate membership in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as well as its participation in other regional and international organizations;
3. Calls upon the administering Power to provide the Territory with the necessary assistance to mitigate the adverse effects of hurricane Hugo and to facilitate the provision of additional assistance and funds to the Territory from international organizations and specialized agencies;
4. Welcomes the efforts by the territorial Government to raise the quality of the labour force and to meet the trained labour requirements of the public service through its development plan for education;
5. Calls upon the United Nations Development Programme to continue its technical assistance to the British Virgin Islands, bearing in mind the vulnerability of the Territory to external economic factors and the scarcity of skilled workers in the Territory;
6. Expresses its satisfaction at the consideration being given by the United Nations Children's Fund to the continuation of its five-year Multi-island Programme aimed at improving education, health and social services in the Territory;
7. Urges the regional and international financial institutions, as well as the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, to assist the Government of the British Virgin Islands in identifying its medium- and long-term needs and to increase their participation in the full recovery of the Territory;
8. Notes with satisfaction the measures being taken by the territorial Government to prevent drug trafficking and money laundering, and urges the administering Power to continue its assistance to the Territory in those endeavours;
9. Notes with regret that a period of sixteen years has elapsed since a United Nations mission visited the Territory and appeals to the administering Power to facilitate the dispatch of such a mission.
V. Cayman Islands
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power,
Noting the completion of the constitutional review exercise in the Cayman Islands, as well as the established timetable for the bringing into force of the amended Constitution,
Aware that the general election in the Territory is scheduled for November 1992,
Noting the measures being taken by the territorial Government to promote agricultural production with a view to reducing the heavy dependence of the Territory on imported provisions,
Expressing its concern that property and land continue to be owned and developed largely by foreign investors,
Noting that an increased proportion of the labour force of the Territory consists of expatriates and that there is a need for the training of nationals in the technical, vocational, managerial and professional fields,
Noting also the action taken by the territorial Government to implement its localization programme to promote increased participation of the local population in the decision-making process in the Cayman Islands,
Noting further the policy of the territorial Government to control the growth and to upgrade the efficiency of the public service,
Noting with concern the vulnerability of the Territory to drug trafficking and related activities,
Noting with satisfaction the efforts of the territorial Government, the Governments of other countries of the region, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power, to prevent and repress illicit activities such as money laundering, funds smuggling, false invoicing and other related frauds, as well as the use of and trafficking in illegal drugs,
Recalling the dispatch in 1977 of a United Nations visiting mission to the Territory,
1. Requests the administering Power to expedite the bringing into force of the amended Constitution, in close cooperation with the territorial Government and in conformity with the wishes and aspirations of the Caymanian population, with a view to enabling the people of the Cayman Islands to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination;
2. Notes with satisfaction that the general election in the Territory is scheduled for November 1992 and requests the administering Power, in close cooperation with the territorial Government, to continue the efforts aimed at ensuring that a free and fair general election is conducted in the Cayman Islands;
3. Calls upon the administering Power, in consultation with the territorial Government, to continue to promote the agricultural development of the Cayman Islands with a view to reducing the dependence of the Territory on imported food supplies;
4. Urges the administering Power, in consultation with the territorial Government, to continue to facilitate the expansion of the current programme of securing employment for the local population, in particular at the decision-making level;
5. Requests the administering Power, in consultation with the territorial Government, to provide the assistance necessary to enhance the efficiency of the public service;
6. Calls upon the administering Power to continue to take all necessary measures, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to counter problems related to money laundering, funds smuggling and other related crimes, as well as drug trafficking;
7. Notes with regret that a period of fifteen years has elapsed since a United Nations mission visited the Territory, and appeals to the administering Power to facilitate the dispatch of such a mission.
VI.Guam
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United States of America, as the administering Power,
Recalling that the second round of negotiations between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Guam aimed at transferring land and facilities at the Naval Air Station, Agana, opened in July 1991,
Aware that large tracts of land in the Territory continue to be reserved for the use of the Department of Defense of the administering Power,
Cognizant that the administering Power has undertaken a programme of transferring surplus federal land to the Government of Guam,
Cognizant also of the potential for diversifying and developing the economy of Guam through commercial fishing and agriculture,
Mindful of discussions between the Guam Commission on Self-Determination and the executive branch of the administering Power on the draft Guam Commonwealth Act, which were recently concluded and will lead to consideration of the measure by the legislative branch of the administering Power,
Recalling that, in referendums held in Guam in 1987, a draft Commonwealth Act was endorsed by the people of Guam that, upon expeditious enactment by the Congress of the United States of America, would reaffirm the right of the people of Guam to draft their own constitution and to govern themselves,
Recalling the dispatch in 1979 of a United Nations visiting mission to the Territory,
1. Calls upon the administering Power to continue to ensure that the presence of military bases and installations in the Territory should not constitute an obstacle to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples nor hinder the population of the Territory from exercising its right to self-determination, including independence, in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
2. Also calls upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to continue to expedite the transfer of land to the people of the Territory and to take the necessary steps to safeguard their property rights;
3. Notes that discussions held since 1990 between the Government of the United States of America and the Guam Commission on Self-Determination have resulted in qualified agreements on the provisions of the Guam Commonwealth Act, including agreements to disagree on several substantive portions of the Guam proposal, which are to be forwarded to the Congress of the United States for consideration;
4. Urges the administering Power to continue to support appropriate measures by the territorial Government aimed at promoting growth in commercial fishing and agriculture;
5. Reiterates its request to the administering Power that it continue to recognize and respect the cultural and ethnic identity of the Chamorro people, the indigenous inhabitants of Guam;
6. Notes that a period of thirteen years has elapsed since a United Nations mission visited the Territory.
VII.Montserrat
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power,
Recalling the devastation caused by hurricane Hugo in September 1989 and the recovery efforts of the territorial Government in conjunction with the administering Power and the international community,
Taking into account the membership of Montserrat in regional and international bodies and the outstanding request of the Territory for readmission to associate membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
Noting the general elections held in Montserrat on 8 October 1991 and the election of a new Chief Minister,
Noting also that it is the policy of the territorial Government, while considering that independence is inevitable, to pursue a gradual approach to preparing the people of Montserrat for independence,
Noting further that, according to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the economy of the Territory has continued its recovery,
Taking note of the statement of the Chief Minister at the Fifteenth Annual Miami Conference on the Caribbean, held at Miami from 2 to 6 December 1991, that the offshore financial services industry requires little or no natural resources and could make a substantial contribution to small island countries,
Noting the policy of the territorial Government to replace expatriates with suitably trained and qualified nationals,
Noting also that planned developments in the Territory aimed at enhancing the island's attractiveness as a tourist destination may impact negatively on the environment, in the absence of effective natural resource management,
Recalling that the last United Nations visiting mission to the Territory took place in 1982,
1. Urges the administering Power to continue to intensify and expand its programme of aid in order to accelerate the development of the economic and social infrastructure of the Territory;
2. Reiterates its call upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to take, as a matter of urgency, the necessary steps to facilitate the readmission of Montserrat as an associate member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization;
3. Urges the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional and other multilateral financial institutions, to continue to expand their assistance to the Territory in the strengthening, development and diversification of the economy of Montserrat in accordance with its medium- and long-term development plans, as well as in alleviating the devastation caused by hurricane Hugo;
4. Requests the administering Power to continue to facilitate the assistance of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional and multilateral financial institutions, to the Government of Montserrat;
5. Calls upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to assist the Territory in its efforts to implement an ecotourism strategy aimed at developing its natural resources in a manner consistent with environmental considerations;
6. Notes with satisfaction the measures being taken by the territorial Government, in cooperation with the administering Power, to restore the Territory's offshore financial services industry;
7. Urges the administering Power to continue its assistance to the Territory in the prevention of drug trafficking and money laundering;
8. Urges the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to provide the necessary assistance for the training of local personnel in the skills essential to the development of the Territory and to encourage skilled workers to remain in the Territory;
9. Notes with regret that a period of ten years has elapsed since a United Nations mission visited the Territory and calls upon the administering Power to facilitate the dispatch of a visiting mission to Montserrat.
VIII.Tokelau
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of New Zealand, the administering Power,
Noting the continuing devolution of power to the local authority, the General Fono (Council), and mindful that the cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Tokelau should be taken fully into account in the evolution of the political institutions of Tokelau,
Noting also the endeavours of Tokelau to develop its marine and other resources and its efforts to diversify the income-earning ability of its population,
Noting further the concern of the people of the Territory regarding the serious consequences of changes in climatic patterns on the future of Tokelau,
Welcoming the information that Tokelau, while wishing to preserve the benefits of its current relationship with New Zealand, is exploring ways of achieving greater political and administrative autonomy,
Noting with appreciation the assistance extended to Tokelau by the administering Power, other Member States and international organizations, in particular the United Nations Development Programme and its preparation of a third country programme for Tokelau for the period 1992-1996,
1. Encourages the Government of New Zealand, the administering Power, to continue to respect fully the wishes of the people of Tokelau in carrying out the political and economic development of the Territory in such a way as to preserve their social, cultural and traditional heritage;
2. Calls upon the administering Power, in consultation with the General Fono (Council), to continue to expand its development assistance to Tokelau in order to promote the economic and social development of the Territory;
3. Notes that the plan to transfer the Office for Tokelau Affairs from Apia to Tokelau is being pursued within the context of the exploration of ways of achieving greater political and administrative autonomy, and invites the administering Power to continue to provide maximum assistance in this regard;
4. Invites all governmental and non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, Member States and organizations of the United Nations system to grant or to continue to grant Tokelau special emergency economic assistance to mitigate the effects of cyclonic storms and to enable the Territory to meet its medium- and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements and address the issues of changes in climatic patterns.
IX.Turks and Caicos Islands
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power,
Noting the territorial Government's plan to reform the public service to enhance its efficiency,
Noting also the administrative steps taken by the territorial Government to implement its policy of localization of employment,
Noting further the Government's expressed need for 11.5 million United States dollars per year in development assistance to achieve its stated goal of economic independence by the year 1996,
Noting the Government's efforts to set up a Turks and Caicos development corporation,
Noting further that the agricultural sector is small and limited to subsistence farming for the local market and that 90 per cent of the food consumed in the Territory is imported,
Concerned at the continued decline of fisheries and marine production in relative terms in the past year,
Noting the Chief Minister's attendance at the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, held at Basseterre from 2 to 4 July 1991,
1. Calls upon the territorial Government to promote alternative employment opportunities for those civil servants whose employment would be terminated as a result of the public service reform and the planned reduction of employees in the service;
2. Also calls upon the territorial Government to ensure that the employment of expatriates in the Territory's labour force is not prejudicial to the recruitment of suitably qualified and available islanders;
3. Calls upon the specialized agencies and other institutions of the United Nations system to explore concrete ways of assisting the Turks and Caicos Government to reach its stated goal of achieving economic independence by 1996;
4. Urges the administering Power to study favourably, in cooperation with the territorial Government, the needs of the Territory in this respect with a view to meeting those needs;
5. Invites international financial institutions and donor organizations, including the European Investment Bank and the Commonwealth Development Corporation, to provide the Territory with the necessary assistance for the setting up and/or operation of the Turks and Caicos Development Corporation;
6. Urges the administering Power and the relevant regional and international organizations to assist the territorial Government in increasing the efficiency of the agricultural and fisheries sectors;
7. Also urges the administering Power and the relevant regional and international organizations to support the efforts of the territorial Government to address the problem of environmental pollution and degradation;
8. Notes the admission of the Turks and Caicos Islands as an associate member of the Caribbean Community and invites other regional and international organizations to consider granting the Territory a similar status should the territorial Government so request;
9. Notes with regret that a period of twelve years has elapsed since a United Nations mission visited the Territory and appeals to the administering Power to facilitate the dispatch of such a mission.
X.United States Virgin Islands
The General Assembly,
Referring to resolution A above,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the United States of America, as the administering Power,
Having heard the statement of the representative of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands,
Noting that legislation has been approved in the Virgin Islands Senate and signed into law by the Governor of the Territory to conduct a referendum on political status in 1993,
Noting also that the extension to ninety days of the residency requirement for voting has not addressed the concerns of the representatives of the territorial Government and those of the Commission on Status and Federal Relations regarding eligibility to participate in a referendum on self-determination,
Noting further that legislation has been proposed in the United States Congress to transfer Water Island to the Territory at the end of 1992 and that the issue remains under consideration,
Noting the position of the judicial authorities of the United States of America regarding the issue of the West Indian Company's title and rights to the reclamation and development of the submerged land at Long Bay in the Charlotte Amalie Harbour,
Noting also the continuing interest of the territorial Government in seeking associate membership in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and observer status in the Caribbean Community, and its inability, for financial reasons, to participate in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization,
Noting further the expressed concerns of the Virgin Islands Government and people of the Territory over the vacancy of the District Court judgeship and their wish for the appointment of Virgin Islanders to other top posts in the judicial system,
Recalling the dispatch in 1977 of a United Nations visiting mission to the Territory and the outstanding request by the territorial Government for a United Nations mission to the Territory to observe the referendum process,
1. Requests the administering Power to provide the fullest cooperation and assistance to the territorial Government and the Commission on Status and Federal Relations in their review of the residency requirement for those eligible to participate in a genuine exercise of the right to self-determination in the United States Virgin Islands;
2. Invites the administering Power, as a matter of urgency, to facilitate the termination of Federal ownership of Water Island at the end of 1992;
3. Notes that a nominee has been named for a district court judgeship and that the district court judge on Saint Croix is a Virgin Islander;
4. Reiterates its request to the administering Power to facilitate as appropriate the participation of the Territory in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Caribbean Community, as well as in various international and regional organizations, including the Caribbean Group for Cooperation in Economic Development of the World Bank, in accordance with the policy of the administering Power and the terms of reference of such organizations;
5. Calls upon the administering Power to respond favourably to the request of the territorial Government for the dispatch of a United Nations visiting and observer mission to the Territory.