GA/SPD/190

SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE APPROVES TEXT ON SMALL ISLAND NON-SELF-GOVERNING TERRITORIES

Also Concludes Debate on Effects of Atomic Radiation

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) this morning approved, without a vote, a consolidated draft resolution on small island Non-Self-Governing Territories, as it met to conclude its consideration of decolonization as well as its debate on the effects of atomic radiation.

The consolidated text concerned American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

By the terms of the draft, the General Assembly would reaffirm the inalienable right of the peoples of those Territories to self-determination, including -- if they so wish -- independence. It would also reaffirm that it is, ultimately, for those peoples to freely determine their future political status. In that connection, it would also call upon the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial governments, to facilitate political education programmes in the Territories to foster awareness of the right to self-determination.

Also, by the text, the Assembly would reaffirm the effectiveness of United Nations visiting missions to the Territories, as well as the responsibility of the administering Powers to promote the Territories economic and social development, preserve their cultural identity, and give priority, in consultation with the territorial governments, to strengthening and diversifying their economies.

The Assembly would also note, with concern, that the Plan of Action of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism could not be concluded by the year 2000. It would call upon the administering Powers to enter into constructive dialogue with the Special Committee before the fifty-sixth General Assembly session to develop a framework to implement provisions of Article 73 e of the Charter and the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, for the period beyond 2000.

By other terms, the Assembly would take note of statements by the elected territorial representatives that their respective Territories have repeatedly

Fourth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SPD/190 11th Meeting (AM) 12 October 2000

shown their willingness to cooperate with all international efforts aimed at preventing abuse of the international financial system and promoting regulatory environments with highly selective licensing procedures, robust supervisory practices and well-established anti-money-laundering regimes.. It would also call for an enhanced dialogue between the Territories and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to bring about the changes needed to meet the higher standards of transparency and information exchange in order to facilitate the removal of these Territories from the list of jurisdictions classified as tax havens.

In other business, the Committee concluded its general debate on the effects of atomic radiation.

Speaking prior to the approval of the consolidated resolution were the representatives of Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Republic of Korea, and Libya.

Speaking during the general debate on the effects of atomic radiation were the representatives of Indonesia, India, Egypt, Cuba, Libya, and Pakistan. The representatives of Israel and Egypt spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

When the Fourth Committee meets again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 16 October, it will begin its consideration of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

Fourth Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/SPD/190 11th Meeting (AM) 12 October 2000

Committee Work Programme

When the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning, to continue its general exchange of views on effects of atomic radiation, it had before it the report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of Atomic Radiation, contained in document A/C.4/55/46.

(For further information, see Press Release GA/SPD/189 of 10 October.)

The Committee also had before it a draft resolution (document A/C.4/55/L.5), which is a consolidated text concerning American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

By Part A of that draft, the General Assembly would reaffirm the inalienable right of the peoples of the Territories to self-determination, including -- if they so wish -- independence. It would reaffirm also that it is, ultimately, for those peoples to determine freely their future political status and, in that connection, call upon the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial governments, to facilitate political education programmes in the Territories to foster awareness of the right to self-determination.

Also, by that text, the Assembly would reaffirm that United Nations visiting missions to the Territories, in consultation with the administering Powers, are an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the Territories. The administering Powers and the peoples� elected representatives would be requested to assist the Special Committee in this regard. The Assembly would reaffirm also the responsibility of the administering Powers to promote the Territories� economic and social development, preserve their cultural identity, and give priority, in consultation with the territorial governments, to strengthening and diversifying their economies.

Further, the Assembly would note with concern that the Plan of Action of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism cannot be concluded by the year 2000. It would call upon the administering Powers to enter into constructive dialogue with the Special Committee before the fifty-sixth General Assembly session to develop a framework to implement provisions of Article 73 e of the Charter and the decolonization Declaration, for the period beyond 2000.

By other terms, the Assembly would take note of statements by the elected territorial representatives that their respective Territories have repeatedly shown their willingness to cooperate with all international efforts aimed at preventing abuse of the international financial system. The classification of the Territories by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering were not based on objective assessments and seemed to ignore the high standards of the Territories� regulatory environments with their highly selective licensing procedures, robust supervisory practices and well-established anti-money-laundering regimes.

The Assembly would, by further terms of the text, call upon the OECD to engage the concerned territorial governments in a constructive dialogue, with a view to removing them from the list of harmful tax jurisdictions, and request the administering Power concerned to assist those Non-Self-Governing Territories in resolving the matter.

Part B of the consolidated draft resolution deals with the individual Territories. Regarding American Samoa, the Fourth Committee would recommend the General Assembly call upon the administering Power to continue to assist the territorial government in the economic and social development of American Samoa, including measures to rebuild financial management capabilities and strengthen other functions of the territorial government. Also, the Assembly would welcome the invitation from the territorial governor to the Special Committee to send a visiting mission to the Territory.

By the text on Anguilla, the General Assembly would request the administering Power, bearing in mind the views of the people of the Territory ascertained through a democratic process, to keep the Secretary-General informed of the wishes and aspirations of the people regarding their future political status. It would call upon the administering Power and all States, organizations and United Nations agencies to continue to assist the Territory in social and economic development.

By the draft on Bermuda, the Assembly would call upon the administering Power to continue to work with the Territory for its socio-economic development. It would also request the administering Power to elaborate, in consultation with the territorial government, programmes specifically intended to alleviate the economic, social and environmental consequences of the closure of the United States military bases and installations in the Territory.

According to the text on the British Virgin Islands, the General Assembly would request the administering Power, the specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies, and all financial institutions to continue to assist the Territory�s socio-economic and human resources development, bearing in mind the vulnerability of the Territory to external factors.

By the draft on the Cayman Islands, the Assembly would call upon the administering Power and the territorial government to cooperate in countering problems related to money laundering, and smuggling of funds and other related crimes, as well as drug trafficking. It would request the administering Power, in consultation with the territorial government, to continue to facilitate the expansion of the current programme of securing employment for the local population, in particular, at the decision-making level.

Under the provisions relating to Guam, the General Assembly would call upon the administering Power to take into consideration the expressed will of the Chamorro people as supported by Guam voters in the plebiscite of 1987 and as provided for in Guam law, and encourage the administering Power and the territorial government to enter into negotiations on the matter. It would request the administering Power to cooperate with Guam's Commission on Decolonization for the Implementation and Exercise of Chamorro Self-Determination, with a view to facilitating Guam�s decolonization and to keep the Secretary-General informed of progress to that end.

Also by the text, the Assembly would further request the administering Power to continue to recognize and respect the political rights -- and the cultural and ethnic identity -- of the Chamorro people of Guam, and take all necessary measures to respond to the concerns of the territorial government with regard to the immigration issue. The administering Power would be requested to continue to transfer land to the people of the Territory. The Assembly would request the administering Power to cooperate in establishing programmes specifically intended to promote the sustainable development of economic activities and enterprises, noting the special role of the Chamorro people in Guam's development.

The text on Montserrat would have the General Assembly call upon the administering Power, the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional and other organizations, to continue to provide urgent emergency assistance to the Territory to alleviate the consequences of the 1996 volcanic eruption. It would welcome the support of the Caribbean community in the construction of housing in the safe zone, to alleviate a shortage caused by the eruption of Montsoufriere volcano, as well as material and financial support from the international community.

By terms of the draft on Pitcairn, the Assembly would request the administering Power to continue its assistance for the improvement of the economic, social, educational and other conditions of the Territory�s population. It would call upon the administering Power to continue its discussion with the representatives of Pitcairn Island on how best to support their economic security.

Regarding Saint Helena, the Assembly would request the administering Power, and relevant regional and international organizations, to continue to support the efforts of the territorial government to address the Territory�s socio-economic development. It would note that the administering Power had taken note of statements made by members of the Legislative Council of Saint Helena about the constitution and is prepared to discuss them further with the people of Saint Helena. It would request the administering Power, and relevant regional and international organizations, to continue to support the efforts of the territorial government to address the Territory�s high unemployment, limited transport, communications and other socio-economic development problems.

According to the text on the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Assembly would invite the administering Power to take fully into account the wishes and interests of the Government and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the governance of the Territory. It would welcome the assessment of the Caribbean Development Bank, in its 1998 report, that the economy continued to expand with considerable output and low inflation.

The draft on the United States Virgin Islands would have the General Assembly express concern that the Territory, which is already heavily indebted, had to borrow $21 million from a commercial bank to carry out its year 2000 computer compliance programme, and call for the United Nations year 2000 programme to be made available to the Non-Self-Governing Territories. Further, the Assembly would express concern that the territorial government is facing severe fiscal problems, which has resulted in accumulated debt of more than $1 billion. It would welcome the measures being taken by the newly elected territorial government in addressing the crisis, including the adoption of a five-year operating and strategic financial plan, and call upon the administering Power to provide every assistance required by the Territory to alleviate the financial crisis, including the provision of debt relief and loans.

Statements

HAZAIRIN POHAN (Indonesia) welcomed the report that, he said, depicted a poignant picture of the magnitude and scale of radiation exposure from diverse sources and focused attention on new challenges in the field. In addition it shed new light on the number and yield of nuclear tests. The negative effects of those were well known. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) had become imperative. Meanwhile, countries should refrain from both atmospheric and underground testing.

He said that Indonesia had, over the years, cooperated with the Scientific Committee and would continue to do so. Indonesia recognized the need for both nuclear energy and corresponding measures to insure the safety of nuclear facilities. In that context, information-sharing on safety problems and protective measures in the operation of nuclear power plants was important. He called, therefore, for cooperation between all relevant agencies. The role of the Scientific Committee had become increasingly important for health, sustainable development, and even peace and security.

SARDAR BALVINDER SINGH BHUNDAR (India) said that India was pleased that the Scientific Committee had completed its activities in a highly professional manner, and shared the Committee�s concern on radiation exposure and possible health effects. It appreciated the continuing scientific efforts in understanding the basic mechanisms of radiation�s effects on biological systems. For its part, India had initiated a systematic study of continuous low-level radiation in the population living in high natural background-radiation areas in the state of Kerala on India�s west coast. The results so far did not show any deleterious effects attributable to radiation.

He hoped that the Scientific Committee would devote efforts to providing further insight into data from other high background-radiation areas in the world. India also shared the concern expressed by the Committee regarding the incorrect reporting in a section on thyroid cancer incidence and other health effects after the Chernobyl accidents.

WALID HAGGAG (Egypt) complimented the work of the Committee which had deepened the understanding of atomic radiation and enabled the international community to take the necessary preventive measures. He valued, in particular, the total independence and high quality of the information gathered by the Committee, and would continue to cooperate in providing such information. He supported the draft resolution under the item, and called for international cooperation in all related fields.

He said that the risks accompanying the increasing use of nuclear energy were varied. It was important that the Committee keep studying the resulting effects. Hence, he supported the continuation of the Committee�s activities. He looked forward, especially, to the continuation of studies involving the recently disclosed information among populations where nuclear weapons testing had taken place. Nuclear energy, when confined to such peaceful uses as medical and industrial applications, could be very beneficial. He supported the transfer of such technology to developing countries. It was important, though, that all such technology be under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In that context, Israel�s nuclear reactor in the desert put the people in the region at risk, as it was not under international supervision.

CARLOS SUANES (Cuba) said that the Scientific Committee had played a key role, especially for developing countries, in helping to understand the effects of radiation. He emphasized the importance of the Committee as a source of independent information on those issues. The continuation of cooperation and exchange of information on those issues would be of benefit to all mankind. Only through international cooperation would nuclear technologies be kept safe.

Atomic energy was, he said, an important energy source, and its use in other areas increased from day to day. It was important that developing countries not be denied those benefits. So, he called for technology transfer and an intelligent use of nuclear energy. The world was less viable if those technologies were not shared in a way that was equal and without conditions. Cuba had subjected all its nuclear installations to agreements by the IAEA and other regulatory bodies. It would continue to develop its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, while working for total nuclear disarmament. He also took note of the declaration of the representative of Belarus and said that 10,000 children affected by the Chernobyl accident had received medical treatment from his country.

SIFAW HAFYANA (Libya) said it was a matter of major concern for the Middle East and the international community that a country responsible for increased radioactive emissions in the region had rejected the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It had refused inspection of its facilities by the IAEA and refused to provide information on its nuclear weapons, which could create disasters of unthinkable dimensions. That country must accept inspection, begin to implement nuclear non-proliferation and begin dismantling its nuclear-weapon capability.

He expressed the hope that efforts in the use of nuclear science would focus on peaceful purposes, such as agriculture. The study of nuclear radiation should not endanger humankind and the environment. The creation of hundreds of nuclear warheads and reactors must cease. Countries that polluted the oceans, the air and the soil must be pressured to halt such activities. The nuclear Powers must end their military-oriented studies and begin time-oriented studies for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

BURHANUL ISLAM (Pakistan) said that, despite the fact that medical radiation was the largest source of man-made exposure, nuclear medicine remained an important area of modern research. Scientific research in medical diagnosis and therapy through nuclear research must not stop. They were of immense benefit to mankind. All Member States must share the benefits of the latest scientific research in the medical field, while taking adequate measures against radiation exposures with a view to minimizing the adverse effects of medical research.

Regarding the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident, he said that the Scientific Committee's report mentioned about 1,800 cases of thyroid cancer in the region's children resulting from exposure to high levels of radiation. However, there was no evidence of a major public health impact attributable to radiation exposure 14 years after the accident. Further research in that area could help in reaching a definitive conclusion on that subject.

He said that another vital area in which the Scientific Committee had contributed significantly was research on the possibility of harm to the progeny of exposed persons, commonly known as hereditary effects. Such effects had once been thought to threaten the future of the human race by increasing the rate of natural mutation. Pakistan looked forward to the comprehensive report of the Scientific Committee in 2001, which would focus on the hereditary effects of radiation exposures.

DAVID ZOHAR (Israel), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that the representatives of Egypt and Libya had made statements which insinuated that Israel�s nuclear activities somehow threatened their countries. In the past, Israel had similarly been accused of the contamination of its neighbour�s water supplies, even though, geographically, the flow of that water was into Israel from Egypt and, thus, it was impossible for that to be true. He wanted to assure the Committee that a high level of safety had been the cornerstone of all of Israel�s nuclear activities, with corresponding levels of external and internal supervision according to international standards. He noted that the Egyptian reactor was older than that of Israel, and that Israel�s attainments in nuclear medical technology were well known and available to be shared with others. The other matters mentioned by the representatives related to nuclear proliferation and were not under the competency of the Fourth Committee.

Mr. HAGGAG (Egypt), also speaking in right of reply, said that he did not want to get into a debate on a subject that he agreed was the responsibility of other committees. On the other hand, he was not saying anything new and was sure members of the Committee were aware of a number of resolutions and documents that were in force. Every year the First Committee and the General Assembly adopted a resolution on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, which called upon Israel to accede to all relevant treaties without delay, and to place all its unguarded nuclear facilities under supervision of the IAEA. The 2000 NPT Review Conference had agreed that it was important that Israel accede to the Treaty. That is what he had called for in his statement.

PETER DONIGI (Papua New Guinea), on behalf of the Special Committee on Decolonization, thanked Member States for their participation in consultations on the decolonization resolution relating to financial havens and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Calling on the administering Powers to assist developing countries in efforts against money laundering, narcotics trafficking and other crimes, he said such illegal activities should not be used as a pretext to impose undue restrictions on the citizens of the Non-Self- Governing Territories.

Mr. ISLAM (Pakistan) expressed regret that he had been absent on 3 October during the voting on decolonization items. Had Pakistan been present it would have voted in favour of the texts relating to economic and other activities affecting the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories; implementation of the decolonization Declaration by the United Nations specialized agencies and associated institutions; information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter; and offers by Member States of studies and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Concerning the amendment on economic and other activities, he said he would have voted against the proposed deletion or amendment of one operative paragraph. Pakistan would have joined the consensus on those drafts approved without a vote -- the questions of Western Sahara, New Caledonia and Tokelau. It would also have joined the consensus regarding the draft decisions on military arrangements and the question of Gibraltar.

FAISAL AL-MARRI (Qatar) said he had also been absent on 3 October and that his country would have voted in favour of the texts on information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter; economic and other activities; military arrangements and implementation of the decolonization Declaration by the specialized agencies and institutions associated with the United Nations. Qatar would have voted against the proposed deletion of one operative paragraph of the draft on economic and other activities.

FAYSSAL MEKDAD (Syria) said that the Special Committee on Decolonization had demonstrated flexibility in its relations with the administering Powers. However, cooperation should not be unilateral and Syria hoped there would be reciprocity on the part of those Powers that had not yet demonstrated their readiness to cooperate, particularly in light of the important work remaining in the field of decolonization.

CHA YOUNG-CHEOL (Republic of Korea), also having missed the vote, said he would have been in favour of the draft on information under Article 73 e; economic and other activities; and military arrangements. The Republic of Korea would have abstained from voting on the text relating to implementation of the decolonization Declaration by the specialized agencies and would have joined the consensus on the Western Sahara, New Caledonia, Tokelau and Gibraltar texts.

Mr. HAFYANA (Libya) said that his country's opposing vote regarding the proposed deletion of an operative paragraph of the economic activities text had not been noted.

The Committee then approved the decolonization draft resolution (document A/C.4/55/L.5) without a vote, concluding its consideration of that issue.

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