French Polynesiaunited States Tender

The Special Committee on Decolonization approved draft resolutions on selfdetermination questions in eight NonSelfGoverning Territories heard petitioners from the British Virgin Islands Guam and Turks and Caicos and took up the question of French Polynesia and New Caledonia.On the penultimate day of its two-week session the 24member panel formally known as the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples approved drafts for submission to the General Assembly on Montserrat American Samoa Anguilla Bermuda Cayman Islands Pitcairn Saint Helena and United States Virgin Islands.It also approved its annual texts on the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples the implementation of that Declaration by the specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the United Nations and economic and other activities which affect the interests of the people of Non-Self-Governing Territories.In addition it approved the conclusions recommendations and draft procedural report of its Caribbean Regional Seminar held in Saint Georges Grenada from 2 to 4 May.Focusing on Frances Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Pacific the Special Committee heard from a representative of French Polynesia who said that the institutional autonomy negotiated 35 years ago with the administering Power suits us perfectly. Acknowledging dissatisfaction among autonomists as well as economic and social disruption caused by the 1996 cessation of nuclear testing he said France continues to support French Polynesias sustainable development with an annual investment of more than 1.5 billion.Taking a different perspective a representative of the Association Moruroa E Tatou said the administering Powers wilful absence from the work of the Special Committee precludes the opportunity to assess compliance with international law. A speaker for the Association Union Chretienne des Jeunes de Polynesie recalling that Mahi Nus addition to the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories was accompanied by great expectations was optimistic that relevant mandates will be implemented with renewed energy. Another petitioner said the health and social consequences of nuclear testing remain a major challenge and that the mishandling of nuclear waste endangers the entire Pacific region.The speaker for the Congress of New Caledonia said a 2018 referendum in which 43 per cent including most Kanaks voted in favour of independence was followed by elections for the Congress in which parties in favour of independence won a majority of seats. We have seen the desire of the citizens to build a new country in their image he said adding that two political groups in Congress have officially requested another referendum. He emphasized the need for properly drawn up electoral lists and voiced concern that immigration from France will make it hard for New Caledonias youth to find jobs upon graduation from university.Elaborating a representative of the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste said a second referendum envisaged by the Noumea Accord must allow the restoration of justice for 2800 Kanaks who were not allowed to vote in 2018. Underscoring the Fronts intention to implement the Noumea Accord to the letter he said it is vital that countries in the region form strong direct partnerships with New Caledonia in a wide variety of areas. He expressed hope that the Special Committee would support a proposal to hold a future referendum with the United Nations providing technical support.Earlier in the day the Special Envoy of the Premier of the British Virgin Islands briefed the Special Committee on the Governments key priorities recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and sustainable development. On the Territorys relationship with the United Kingdom he said that country has been on balance a good partner. He requested the Special Committee to send a visiting mission to the Territory adding that while independence is not a priority its people must be aware of available options such as free association as they consider the future.The Lieutenant Governor of Guam speaking on behalf of the Governor encouraged the Special Committee and Member States to maintain pressure on the United States to decolonize the Territory. Also requesting a visiting mission he said a process under the aegis of Guam law that would allow native inhabitants to express their preference for political status has been halted by the Courts of the administering Power for whom nothing has been acceptable except the status quo.In the absence of sovereignty and mutual consent the United Nations has a responsibility to advocate on our behalf until our voices are heard echoed a speaker for the Commission on Decolonization of Guam. It is no secret that the militarization of Guam plays a huge role in maintaining a colonial strangle-hold on the island he said adding that its people are sceptical of empty promises of increased autonomy and equity that have gone unfulfilled.A petitioner from Turks and Caicos said its fortunes at the hands of the United Kingdom the administering Power are deteriorating. Drawing attention to recent recommendations by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the United Kingdom he wondered how an almost exclusively white and male group of Parliamentarians can dictate the fate of millions of people in Territories an ocean away that have kept an empire afloat for centuries.Another petitioner added that the United Kingdom continues to appoint Governors on a rotating basis with no input from elected representatives or citizens. A new one is due to arrive in July he said with the costs borne by the Territorys public treasury.