Question of New Caledonia : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of New Caledonia,

Having examined the relevant 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,

Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,

Recalling also its resolution 41/41 A of 2 December 1986 by which the Assembly considered that, in the light of the provisions of Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations and General Assembly resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1541 (XV), New Caledonia was a Non-Self-Governing Territory within the meaning of the Charter,

Noting the decision adopted by the Special Committee on the question of New Caledonia on 17 March 1987, as well as the resolution adopted by the Special Committee on 14 August 1987,

Noting also the section relating to New Caledonia in the communique issued at the conclusion of the eighteenth South Pacific Forum, held at Apia on 29 and 30 May 1987, and in particular the call contained therein for a United Nations-sponsored referendum in the Territory consistent with the universally accepted principles and practices of self-determination and independence,

Noting further the provisions concerning New Caledonia contained in the Political Declaration adopted by the Eighth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Harare from 1 to 6 September 1986,

Conscious of the responsibility of the administering Power to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in respect of New Caledonia,

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 visiting mission to New Caledonia 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 New Caledonia;

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

3.         Reaffirms that an obligation exists on the part of the Government of France to transmit information on New Caledonia under Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations and requests that Government to transmit to the Secretary-General such information as is called for under Chapter XI and in the related decisions of the General Assembly;

4.         Regrets that the Government of France has not responded to the request to submit such information and calls upon it to do so;

5.         Considers that, consistent with the principles laid down in its resolution 1514 (XV), the peaceful transition of New Caledonia to self-determination and independence should be undertaken in a manner which guarantees the rights and interests of the people of New Caledonia;

6.         Declares that progress towards a long-term political solution in New Caledonia requires a free and genuine act of self-determination consistent with United Nations principles and practices of self-determination and independence;

7.         Emphasizes that such an act of self-determination, in which all options should be made available, should be preceded by a comprehensive programme of political education in which all options are impartially presented and consequences fully explained;

8.         Calls upon the Government of France to resume dialogue with all sections of the population of New Caledonia in order to facilitate rapid progress towards such an act of self-determination in which all sections of the community participate;

9.         Affirms the responsibility of the administering Power to promote economic and social development and calls upon the administering Power to institute programmes designed to benefit all the people throughout the Territory;

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