Trusteeship Council reviews situation in Palau.

The Trusteeship Council, suspending its fifty-eighth session on 14 May, unanimously expressed the hope that the people of Palau would be able to complete the process of exercising freely their right to selfdetermination.

In adopting its conclusions and recommendations without a vote, the Council noted with satisfaction assurances given by the United States, which is the Administering Authority of Palau-the last remaining entity of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands-that it was prepared to assist in any appropriate endeavour leading to the final determination of a political status of Palau, in accordance with the free choice of its people.

During the session, which started on 3 May, the Council considered political, economic, social and educational conditions in Palau. It heard statements by Palauan government officials and petitioners, reviewed written communications and petitions from individuals and groups, and examined the annual report of the Administering Authority for the period ended 30 September 1990.

In a closing statement, Council President Thomas L. Richardson of the United Kingdom said there were some significant discussions on the horizon which could have a crucial impact on the future of Palau.

Other issues on the Council agenda concerned: dissemination of information on the International Trusteeship System; study and training facilities for inhabitants of the remaining Trust Territory; and cooperation with UN bodies such as the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Special Committee on decolonization.

Petitioner concerns

Concern over the possible consequences of premature termination of the Trusteeship Agreement for Palau was expressed by some petitioners during the session. In addition, criticism of Secretarial Order No. 3142, issued by the United States Department of the Interior in October 1990, was voiced.

The Assistant Secretary for Territorial and International Affairs of the United States Department of the Interior, Stella Guerra, stated that the Order addressed several needs related to the continuing responsibilites of the Administering Authority, including the need for improved fiscal responsibility and a national master development plan to map Palau's economic future. It had been favourably received by the local population, she added.

In debate, the United States assured the Council that its intention was not to force Palau to make a decision regarding its political status, but to create conditions under which Palau could make its own choice.

It would examine proposals from the Government of Palau that could be helpful in gaining support for approval of the Compact. Should these efforts fall, Palau should seriously consider the possibility of independence, it added.

Trusteeship was a transitory status, the United States went on, to enable Palau to move on to the next stage of its development. Until then, the United States would continue to provide resources and expertise to Palau.

Ngiratkel Etpison, President of Palau, welcomed the Administering Authority's plan for more Department of the Interior personnel in the Territory, but "only in an advisory role and to provide expertise in budgetary and finance matters and in public safety".

The Secretarial Order, which had "usurped existing constitutional-governmental powers", he said, was a "step backward" on the path towards eventual self-government. Palau cherished its alliance with the United States, the fact that its economy was on the rise and that its government institutions were more efficient than ever. However, progress towards economic self-sufficiency was still distant.

Current developments

In its recommendations, the Security Council welcomed Council resolution 683 (1990) of 22 December 1990, terminating the Trusteeship Agreement in respect of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.

It noted that the leadership of Palau continued to review possible options as to the entity's future political status. It also noted measures taken by the Administering Authority in 1990 to improve its cooperation with Palau.

The Council noted that the people of the Territory had elected to assume full responsibility for administration in the economic, social and educational fields; noted the concerns of the Palau Government regarding economic development and self-sufficiency; and shared the view that continued efforts were needed in that regard.

It welcomed recent reported improvements in the public health, tourism and fisheries sectors, and hoped for further progress in those fields.

The Council also welcomed the consultations between the Administering Authority and Palau towards a master national development plan.

Finally, the Council noted with satisfaction assurances from the Administering Authority that it would continue to fulfil its responsibilities under the UN Charter and under the Trusteeship Agreement. It also noted the United States statement that it had no plans to establish military bases in Palau.

Background

The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands-known as Micronesia-is the last of the original 11 Trust Territories under the International Trusteeship System. Because it was designated as a strategic area" under the Charter, the Trusteeship Council reports to the Security Council on conditions there.

Trusteeship Council members are China, France, the United Kingdom, the USSR and the United States.

Micronesia consisted of four entities-the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau. In 1983, Compacts of Free Association with the United States were approved for the Federated States of Micronesia and for the Marshall Islands. The Northern Marianas opted for Commonwealth status in 1975.

Palau has yet to determine its future status. By resolution 683, the Security Council terminated the Trusteeship Agreement for the other three entities.