A/RES/73/108
Question of American Samoa
Recognizing that the specific characteristics and the aspirations of the people of
American Samoa 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,
Recalling the outcome of the referendum held on 4 November 2014, in which
the proposal to give the Fono, the Territory’s legislature, the authority to override the
Governor’s veto was rejected, and welcoming the discussion opened in the Territory
as to the way forward,
Concerned by the use and exploitation of the natural resources of the Non Self-Governing 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 American Samoa 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 American Samoa 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 American Samoa and to the Special Committee
of the participation of elected and appointed representatives of American Samoa 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 American Samoa 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
Third International
achievement of the
Territories – social,
2/5
Pacific regional seminar on the theme “Implementation of the
Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: towards the
Sustainable Development Goals in the Non -Self-Governing
economic and environmental challenges”, held by the Special
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