A/RES/53/67
Page 3
Convinced that the wishes and aspirations of the peoples of the Territories 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,
Convinced also that any negotiations to determine the status of a Territory must not take place
without the active involvement and participation of the people of that Territory,
Recognizing that all available options for self-determination of the Territories are valid as long as they
are in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned and in conformity with the
clearly defined principles contained in resolutions 1514 (XV), 1541 (XV) and other resolutions of the
General Assembly,
Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation
in the Territories, and considering that the possibility of sending further visiting missions to the Territories
at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Powers should be kept under review,
Noting that the Special Committee held a Pacific regional seminar at Nadi, Fiji, from 16 to 18 June
1998, to hear the views of the representatives of the Territories, as well as Governments and organizations
in the region, in order to review the political, economic and social conditions in the Territories,
Mindful that in order for the Special Committee to enhance its understanding of the political status
of the peoples of the Territories and to fulfil its mandate effectively, it is important for the Committee to
be apprised by the administering Powers and to receive information from other appropriate sources,
including the representatives of the Territories, concerning the wishes and aspirations of the peoples of
the Territories,
Mindful also in this connection that the Special Committee regards the holding of regional seminars
in the Caribbean and Pacific regions and at Headquarters and other venues, with the active participation
of representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, as a helpful means to fulfil its mandate, while
recognizing the need for reviewing the role of those seminars in the context of a United Nations
programme for ascertaining the political status of the Territories,
Mindful further that some Territories have not had any United Nations visiting mission for a long
period of time and that no such visiting missions have been sent to some of the Territories,
Noting with appreciation the contribution to the development of some Territories by specialized
agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations
Development Programme, and regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank,
1. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the peoples of the Territories to self-determination, including,
if they so wish, independence, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and with General
Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial
Countries and Peoples;
2. Reaffirms also that it is ultimately for the peoples of the Territories themselves to determine
freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, the Declaration
and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, and in that connection calls upon the administering
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