Decolonization: work 'not over yet.' (United Nations Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples)

Although the achievements of the UN in the field of decolonization over the last 30 years are "known and acknowledged the world over", they must not be taken for granted, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali told 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--in opening the body's 1993 session on 10 February.

Much still remained to be done, he stressed, as some populations--mainly in the Caribbean and the Pacific--had "not yet had an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination and independence".

Although the political map of the world had changed in recent years and the process of decolonization was "no longer generating extensive conflicts", the Committee's work was "not yet over", Mr. Boutros-Ghali stated. It was up to the world Organization to ensure that the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories "fully exercise their right to freely choose their future status", in accordance with UN Charter principles and relevant resolutions.

Renagi Renagi Lohia of Papua New Guinea, re-elected as Special Committee Chairman, said he did not accept the "often not so subtle suggestion that the era of colonialism is over as long as there are countries and peoples, whatever their size and location, who do not exercise their inalienable right to self-determination".

A more positive method of work that could "truly assist" the people of Non-Self-Governing Territories should be found, said Subcommittee Chairman Amor Ardhaoui of Tunisia on 11 March. He regretted the absence of the administering Powers from Subcommittee meetings because the body wanted to "hear their views and positions in a full dialogue".

Informal meetings

More time should be devoted to informal meetings, he said, to address the special needs of each Territory, since each required "different treatment".

The Subcommittee would consider Territories by region--first, those in the Caribbean, then the Pacific--and would evaluate their political, social, economic and educational situations.

A Pacific regional seminar to review the political, economic and social conditions in the small island Non-Self-Governing Territories, as requested in General Assembly resolution 46/181, will be held by the Special Committee in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, from 8 to 10 June.