A/RES/53/66 Page 3 assist Tokelau in balancing its desire to be self-reliant to the greatest extent possible with its need for external assistance; 8. Welcomes the assurances of the Government of New Zealand that it will meet its obligations to the United Nations with respect to Tokelau and abide by the freely expressed wishes of the people of Tokelau with regard to their future status; 9. Invites the administering Power and United Nations agencies to continue their assistance to the social and economic development of Tokelau; 10. Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to continue to examine this question and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session. 78th plenary meeting 3 December 1998