Question of the New Hebrides, Picairn and Tuvalu

XXX. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE
3433. Question of the New Hebrides, Pitcairn and Tuvalu

The General Assembly, Having considered the question of the New Hebrides, Pitcairn and Tuvalu,[1] 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,[2] 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 the Territories listed above, in particular General Assembly resolutions 3288 (XXIX) and 5290 (XXIX) of 13 December 1974, Having heard the statement of the representative of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power, relating to developments in those Territories,[3] Noting the continued readiness of the Government of the United Kingdom to grant independence to the peoples of the Territories under its administration on the basis of their express wishes and aspirations in that regard, and its declared policy of fostering the growth of free and democratic political institutions in those Territories, Recalling the report of the United Nations Visiting Mission dispatched to the Gilbert and, Ellice Islands in 1974[4] and noting with, satisfaction the steps taken in the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Visiting Mission, Conscious of the need to accelerate progress towards the full implementation of the Declaration with respect to the Territories listed above, Bearing in mind the constructive results achieved as a consequence of previous visiting missions to colonial Territories and reiterating its conviction that the dispatch of such missions is essential for securing adequate and first-hand information in regard to the conditions prevailing in those Territories and to the views, wishes and aspirations of the peoples therein with respect to their future status, Strongly deploring the continued refusal of the Government of France, in contravention of the provisions of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly to co-operate with the Special Committee in its examination of the Territory of the New Hebrides, Deeply concerned at the continued testing of nuclear weapons in the South Pacific in disregard of the strong opposition expressed by the peoples of the South Pacific, including those of the Non-Self-Governing Territories in the region, and the concern, expressed in resolution 3290 (XXIX), Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of the Territories concerned and stressing the necessity of diversifying their economies, as a matter of priority in order to reduce their dependence on fluctuating economic activities,

1. Approves the 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 relating to the New Hebrides, Pitcairn and Tuvalu;[5]

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

3. Reaffirms its conviction that questions of territorial size, geographical isolation and limited resources should in no way delay the implementation of the Declaration with respect to the Territories concerned;

4. Requests the administering Powers to continue to take measures to expedite the Process of decolonization in those Territories in accordance with the relevant recommendations of the Special Committee, including in particular the related observations of the United Nations Visiting Mission dispatched to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1974;

5. Requests the administering Powers to take, all appropriate steps to strengthen the economies of the New Hebrides, Pitcairn and Tuvalu and to work out concrete programmes of assistance and economic development for those Territories;

6. Requests the administering Powers to continue to enlist the assistance of the specialized agencies and the organizations within the United Nations system in accelerating progress in all sectors of the national life of those Territories;

7. Calls upon the Government of France, as an administering Power, to participate in the relevant proceedings of the Special Committee concerning the Territory of the New Hebrides and, in particular, to report to the Special Committee on the implementation of the present resolution;

8. Welcomes the positive attitude of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with respect to the receiving of United Nations visiting missions in the Territories under its administration and calls upon the Government of France to reconsider its attitude towards receiving United Nations visiting missions and to permit access by such a mission to the Territory of the New Hebrides;

9. Reiterates its deep concern at the continued testing of nuclear weapons in the South Pacific, despite the strong opposition expressed by the peoples of the South Pacific, including those of the Non-Self-Governing Territories in the region, and the concern expressed in General Assembly resolution 3290 (XXIX);

10. Requests the Special Committee to continue to seek the best ways and means for the implementation of the Declaration with respect to the New Hebrides, Pitcairn and Tuvalu, including the possible dispatch of visiting missions in consultation with the administering Powers concerned, and to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-first session on the implementation of the present resolution.

2431st plenary meeting
8 December 1975


[1] As a result of the referendum held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in August and September 1974, Which was observed by the United Nations Visiting Mission, to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, 1974, the Ellice Islands separated from the Territory of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 1 October 1975 and became known as Tuvalu (see A/C.4/786). [2] Official Records of the General Assembly Thirtieth Session, Supplement No. 23 (A/10023/Rev.1) chaps. IV, XVIII and XXI. [3] Ibid., Thirtieth Session, Fourth Committee 2166th meeting. [4] Ibid., Twenty-ninth Session Supplement No 23 (A/9623,/Rev.1), chap. XXI, annex I. [5] Ibid., Thirtieth Session, Supplement No. 23 (A/10023/Rev.1), chaps. XVIII and XXI.
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