Complete decolonization by 2000 pursued.

Recognizing that the "eradication of colonialism is one of the priorities of the Organization for the decade beginning in 1990", the General Assembly on 25 November called upon the administering Powers to take all necessary steps to enable the peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories to "exercise fully as soon as possible their right to self-determination and independence". By adopting resolution 47/23, the Assembly requested the Special Committee on decolonization to continue to pay special attention to the small Territories, in particular through the dispatch of regular visiting missions, and to recommend to the Assembly the most suitable steps to be taken to enable the population of those Territories to exercise their right to self-determination. It reaffirmed its declaration of the decade beginning in 1990 as the international Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.

In other decolonization texts adopted directly in plenary, the Assembly requested (47/24) that a variety of means be employed to publicize the work of the UN in the field of decolonization and urged (47/22) UN agencies and international institutions to intensify their assistance to Non-Self-Governing Territories.

In all, the Assembly adopted seven resolutions and four decisions on the recommendation of its Fourth Committee (Decolonization).

On 13 October, the Chairman of the Special Committee on decolonization, Renagi Renagi Lohia of Papua New Guinea, said that it had decided to take measures to focus attention on the special needs of the remaining 18 Non-Self-Governing Territories. While positive changes in South Africa were noted, it had decided not to eliminate references to apartheid in its recommendations, he stated.

The Assembly reaffirmed (47/15) the inalienable right of the peoples of colonial and Non-Self-Governing Territories to self-determination and independence and to the enjoyment of their natural resources. It condemned those activities of foreign economic and other interests in the colonial Territories which impeded efforts to eliminate colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination.

In texts (47/27 A and B) on 10 Non-Self-Governing Territories--American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Tokelau, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands--the Assembly reiterated that such factors as size of territory and of population and limited natural resources should not serve as a pretext to delay their self-determination.

The administering Powers were urged to guarantee the right of the peoples of those Territories to own, develop or dispose of their natural resources. Those Powers were urged 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.

Regarding New Caledonia, all parties were invited (47/26) to continue promoting a framework for the peaceful progress of the Territory towards an act of self-determination, in which all options were open. The decision to establish a Melanesian cultural centre to help preserve the indigenous culture of New Caledonia was commended.

The Assembly also reiterated (47/25) its support for the organization of a referendum for self-determination in Western Sahara (see page 72).

Noting the assistance extended to colonial Territories by certain specialized agencies and other UN organizations, in particular the UN Development Programme, the Assembly requested (47/16) those bodies to take appropriate measures to accelerate economic and social progress in the Territories.

The Assembly requested (47/14) the administering Powers to transmit or continue to transmit to the Secretary-General information relating to economic, social, and educational conditions in the Non-Self-Governing Territories, as prescribed in the UN Charter, as well as information on their political and constitutional developments. All States were invited (47/17) to make or continue to make generous offers of study and training facilities to the inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

On 16 November, the Assembly adopted a decision (47/409) on military activities by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration, reiterating that such Territories should not be used for nuclear testing, deployment of nuclear weapons or dumping of nuclear wastes.

The Assembly, in a decision (47/413) on St. Helena, reaffirmed the inalienable right of its people to self-determination. It also adopted by con sensus two texts, one (47/412) calling for the continuing respect for the lifestyle of the people of Pitcairn and the other (47/411) urging Spain and the United Kingdom to continue their negotiations on Gibraltar.