'Decolonization remains high on agenda of international community.'

'Decolonization remains high on agenda of international community'

When the United Nations was founded in 1945, 750 million people -- almost a third of the world's population -- lived in non-self-governing Territories dependent on colonial Powers. Forty-two years later, the population of dependent Territories had dropped to 3 million. The United Nations was deeply involved in the process of moving countries from colonial rule to independence. Its 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples gave new impetus to that process. Some 60 former colonial Territories, inhabited by more than 80 million people, have attained independence and joined the United Nations as sovereign Members since 1960.

However, it was important "not to become complacent about the 3 million people who still await an opportunity" to exercise their right to self-determination and independence, Tesfaye Tadesse of Ethiopia, Chairman of the Special Committee on decolonization, said at the end of the Fourth (Decolonization) Committee's work in November. So long as even a single Territory, a single person remained under colonial rule, the international community was bound under the Charter to give effect to the objectives set out in the Charter and the Declaration on decolonization, he said.

Constantine Moushoutas of Cyprus, Chairman of the Fourth Committee, told the Committee that although no colonial Territory had attained independence during the past year, decolonization of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories remains high on the agenda of the international community.

Twenty-five texts on a wide range of decolonization issues were adopted by the General Assembly in 1987 including those on Namibia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), New Caledonia, Western Sahara, St. Helena and 12 other small Territories; activities of foreign economic and other interests; military activities by colonial Powers; and implementation of the Declaration on decolonization by the specialized agencies.

The Assembly declared that progress towards a long-term political solution in New Caledonia required a free and genuine act of self-determination consistent with United Nations principles and practices, preceded by a comprehensive programme of political education. France, it stated, should resume dialogue with all sections of the population of New Caledonia in order to facilitate rapid progress towards self-determination.

France, which voted against the resolution, said it reflected "a totally distorted view of the facts" regarding New Caledonia. Melanisians, constituting 43 per cent of the population, were French citizens, enjoying all political, economic and social rights. In New Caledonia, France maintained, there were no "oppressed indigenous peoples subjected to racism or domination". If the population of New Caledonia wanted independence, it would immediately obtain it.

The Assembly also reaffirmed that the solution of the question of Western Sahara lay in implementation of an Organization of African Unity (OAU) plan for definitive political solution to the conflict. The two parties to the conflict, Morocco and the Frente Popular para la Liberacion de Saguia el-Hamra y de Rio de Oro (POLISARIO), were again asked to undertake direct negotiations, in the shortest possible time, to bring about a cease-fire to create the necessary conditions for a peaceful and fair referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, under the auspices of OAU and the United Nations.

The Secretary-General reported (A/42/601) on negotiations to arrange a cease-fire and organize a referendum. Both he and the Chairman of OAU were satisfied with the "co-operation and trust manifested by the parties in their efforts and by the progress achieved so far". Morocco indicated commitment to the outcome of a United Nations-supervised referendum.

POLISARIO wanted a peaceful settlement through direct talks between it and Morocco.

A United Nations technical survey mission travelled extensively in Western Sahara during a three-week period in November and December to gather technical data and information to assist the efforts of the Secretary-General and of the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in the search for a just and peaceful solution to the question of Western Sahara.

The visit was conducted in two stages: consultations with Moroccan authorities, and visits to principal towns and various public institutions and facilities; and meetings with the senior representatives of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO). Nomadic settlements in the southern areas, refugee camps, and health and educational institutions in the area of Tindouf were visited.

Headed by Abdulrahim A. Farah, Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Questions, Regional Co-operation, Decolonization and Trusteeship, the mission included experts on peace-keeping operations, security, logistics, social and public administration and legal and electoral matters.

Small Territories

Other texts related to situations in small dependent Territories including American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guam, Monsterrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tokelau and the United States Virgin Islands.

The Assembly said that such factors as territorial and population size, geographical location, and limited natural resources should not delay the speedy exercise by the peoples of those Territories of their right to self-determination and independence.

Those peoples should determine freely their future political status and an awareness should be fostered of the possibilities open to them in exercising their right to self-determination. Administering Powers, it said, should promote the economic and social development of the Territories.

The presence of military bases and installations in Bermuda and Guam could constitute a major obstacle to implementation of the 1960 decolonization Declaration, it said. Administering Powers should not involve those Territories in any offensive acts or interference against other States. The trade and transportation dependency of St. Helena on South Africa was noted with concern, as was the continued presence of military facilities on Ascension Island. Spain and the United Kingdom were urged to continue negotiations with the object of reaching a definitive solution to the problem of Gibraltar.

The Assembly condemned activities of foreign economic and other interests in the colonial Territories impeding the implementation of the decolonization Declaration. Certain Western and other countries and transnational corporations that continued to invest in South Africa and supply it with armaments and nuclear technology were condemned.

Photo: The UN has been deeply involved in helping millions to attain independence.