Question of American Samoa : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

 

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Question of American Samoa

  The General Assembly, Having considered the question of American Samoa, Having examined the relevant chapters 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 other resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to American Samoa, including in particular its resolution 38/41 of 7 December 1983, Taking into account the statement of the representative of the administering Power relating to American Samoa, Conscious of the need to promote progress towards the full implementation of the Declaration in respect of American Samoa, Noting with appreciation the continued participation of the administering Power in the work of the Special Committee in regard to American Samoa, thereby enabling it to conduct a more informed and meaningful examination of the situation in the Territory, Reiterating the view that it remains the obligation of the administering Power to carry out a thorough programme of political education so as to ensure that the people of American Samoa are made fully aware of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), Noting that the first five-year economic development plan for the Territory, implemented by the Development Planning Office of the Government of American Samoa, is due to expire at the end of 1984, Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of American Samoa and stressing the necessity of diversifying the economy of the Territory as a matter of priority in order to reduce its dependence on fluctuating market conditions, Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the small Territories and expressing its satisfaction at the willingness of the administering Power to receive visiting missions in the Territories under its administration,

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;

2. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of American Samoa to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

3. Reiterates the view that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and limited natural resources should in no way delay the speedy exercise by the people of the Territory of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration contained in General Assembly resolution

1514 (XV), which fully applies to American Samoa;

4. Calls upon the Government of the United States of America, as the administering Power, to take all necessary steps, taking into account the freely expressed wishes of the people of American Samoa, to expedite the process of decolonization of the Territory in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration;

5. Reaffirms that it is the responsibility of the administering Power to carry out a thorough programme of political education so as to ensure that the people of American Samoa are kept fully aware of their inalienable right to self-determination and indepencence;

6. Takes note of the fact that a constitutional convention was held in American Samoa and that the convention adopted, on 16 February 1984, a revised draft constitution for the Territory, which was transmitted to the Congress of the United States;

7. Reaffirms the responsibility of the administering Power, under the Charter, for the economic and social development of the Territory;

8. Calls upon the administering Power to intensify its efforts to strengthen and diversify the economy of American Samoa in order to reduce its heavy dependence on economic and financial support from the United States and to create employment opportunities for the people of the Territory;

9. Urges the administering Power, in co-operation with the territorial Government, to strengthen and extend the responsibilities of the Development Planning Office following the expiration of the five-year development plan at the end of 1984;

10. Urges the administering Power to continue to facilitate close relations and co-operation between the peoples of the Territory and the neighbouring island communities and between the territorial Government and the regional institutions in order to enhance further the economic welfare of the people of American Samoa;

11. Urges the administering Power, in co-operation with the territorial Government, to safeguard the inalienable right of the people of the Territory to the enjoyment of their natural resources by taking effective measures to ensure their right to own and dispose of those resources and to establish and maintain control of their future development;

12. Considers that the possibility of sending a further visiting mission to American Samoa should be kept under review;

13. Requests the Special Committee to continue the examination of this question at its next session, including the dispatch of a further visiting mission to American Samoa, in consultation with the administering Power, taking into account, in particular, the wishes of the people of the Territory, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fortieth session.