A/RES/74/104
Question of Guam
colonialism by 2020 and the plans of action for the Second 4 and Third International
Decades for the Eradication of Colonialism,
Recognizing that the specific characteristics and the aspirations of the people of
Guam require flexible, practical and innovative approaches to the options for self determination, without any prejudice to territorial size, geographical location, size of
population or natural resources,
Convinced that the wishes and aspirations of the people of the Territory should
continue to guide the development of their future political status and that
referendums, free and fair elections and other forms of popular consultation play an
important role in ascertaining the wishes and aspirations of the people,
Concerned by the use and exploitation of the natural resources of the Non-SelfGoverning Territories by the administering Powers for their benefit, by the use of
the Territories as international financial centres to the detriment of the world
economy and by the consequences of any economic activities of the administering
Powers that are contrary to the interests of the people of the Territories, as well as to
resolution 1514 (XV),
Convinced that any negotiations to determine the status of the Territory must
take place with the active involvement and participation of the people of the Territory,
under the auspices of the United Nations, on a case-by-case basis, and that the views
of the people of Guam in respect of their right to self-determination should be
ascertained,
Noting the continued cooperation of the Non-Self-Governing Territories at the
local and regional levels, including participation in the work of regional
organizations,
Mindful that, in order for the Special Committee to enhance its understanding
of the political status of the people of Guam and to fulfil its mandate effectively, it is
important for it to be apprised by the United States of America as the administering
Power and to receive information from other appropriate sources, including the
representatives of the Territory, concerning the wishes and aspirations of the people
of the Territory,
Aware of the importance both to Guam and to the Special Committee of the
participation of elected and appointed representatives of Guam in the work of the
Committee,
Recognizing the need for the Special Committee to ensure that the appropriate
bodies of the United Nations actively pursue a public awareness campaign aimed at
assisting the people of Guam with their inalienable right to self-determination and in
gaining a better understanding of the options for self-determination, on a case-bycase basis,
Mindful, in that connection, that the holding of regional seminars in the
Caribbean and Pacific regions and at Headquarters, with the active participation of
representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, provides a helpful means for
the Special Committee to fulfil its mandate and that the regional nature of the
seminars, which alternate between the Caribbean and the Pacific, is a crucial element
in the context of a United Nations programme for ascertaining the political status of
the Territories,
Welcoming the Caribbean regional seminar on the theme “Implementation of the
Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: accelerating
decolonization through renewed commitment and pragmatic measures ”, held by the
__________________
4
2/6
A/56/61, annex.
19-21923