Question of Tokelau : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of Tokelau,

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 resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to Tokelau, in particular General Assembly resolution 43/35 of 22 November 1988,

Having heard the statement of the representative of New Zealand, the administering Power,

Noting the continuing devolution of power to the local authority, the General Fono (Council), and mindful that the cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Tokelau should be taken fully into account in the evolution of Tokelau's political institutions,

Noting with satisfaction the continued progress in the preparation of a legal code to conform with the traditional laws and cultural values of Tokelau and noting the express wish that the General Fono share additional responsibility in the process of law-making,

Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of the Territory and bearing in mind the necessity of diversifying and strengthening further its economy as a matter of priority in order to promote economic stability,

Noting the inspection of the Tokelau Public Service and its staff at Apia undertaken by the New Zealand State Services Commission in early 1989, and expressing the hope that the completion of this inspection will contribute to the development of the Public Service of the Territory,

Reaffirming the responsibility of the administering Power to promote the economic and social development of the Territory and noting the measures being taken by the Government of New Zealand in that regard,

Recalling the decision of the General Fono to include Tokelau in a fisheries treaty between countries in the region and stressing the importance of safeguarding the right of the people of Tokelau to the full enjoyment of their marine resources,

Noting the strong opposition expressed by the people of Tokelau to nuclear testing in the Pacific region and their concern that those tests constitute a grave threat to the natural resources of the Territory and its social and economic development,

Recalling with appreciation the assistance extended to Tokelau by the administering Power, other States Members of the United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system, in particular by the United Nations Development Programme, for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the islands following the natural disasters in 1987,

Welcoming the reports that new telecommunications equipment has been installed on Fakaofo and is fully operational,

Recalling the dispatch in 1976, 1981 and 1986 of United Nations visiting missions to the Territory,

Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the small Territories and considering that the possibility of sending a further visiting mission to Tokelau at an appropriate time should be kept under review,

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 Tokelau;

2.         Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of Tokelau to self-determination and independence in accordance with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples;

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 implementation of the Declaration, which fully applies to Tokelau;

4.         Urges the Government of New Zealand, the administering Power, to continue to respect fully the wishes of the people of Tokelau in carrying out the Territory's political and economic development, in order to preserve their social, cultural and traditional heritage;

5.         Calls upon the administering Power, in consultation with the General Fono (Council) of Tokelau, to continue to expand its development assistance to Tokelau;

6.         Urges the administering Power, other Member States and organizations of the United Nations system to continue to extend to Tokelau the maximum assistance possible for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the islands in order to overcome the losses incurred in natural disasters in 1987;

7.         Invites the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as other international and regional institutions, to extend or continue to extend all possible assistance to Tokelau, in consultation with the administering Power and the people of Tokelau;

8.         Requests the Special Committee to continue the examination of this question at its next session, including the possible dispatch of a further visiting mission to Tokelau at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Power, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session.