A/RES/58/108 A-B
Recalling its resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960, containing the
principles that should guide Member States in determining whether or not an
obligation exists to transmit the information called for under Article 73 e of the
Charter of the United Nations,
Expressing its concern that more than forty years after the adoption of the
Declaration there still remains a number of Non-Self-Governing Territories,
Conscious of the importance of continuing effective implementation of the
Declaration, taking into account the target set by the United Nations to eradicate
colonialism by 2010 and the plan of action for the Second International Decade for
the Eradication of Colonialism, 2
Recognizing that the specific characteristics and the sentiments of the peoples
of the Territories require flexible, practical and innovative approaches to the options
of self-determination, without any prejudice to territorial size, geographical
location, size of population or natural resources,
Welcoming the stated position of the Government of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland that it continues to take seriously its obligations
under the Charter to develop self-government in the dependent Territories and, in
cooperation with the locally elected Governments, to ensure that their constitutional
frameworks continue to meet the wishes of the people, and the emphasis that it is
ultimately for the peoples of the Territories to decide their future status,
Welcoming also the stated position of the Government of the United States of
America that it supports fully the principles of decolonization and takes seriously its
obligations under the Charter to promote to the utmost the well-being of the
inhabitants of the Territories under United States administration,
Noting the constitutional developments in some Non-Self-Governing
Territories about which the Special Committee has received information,
Aware of the usefulness both to the Territories and to the Special Committee of
the participation of elected and appointed representatives of the Territories in the
work of the Special Committee,
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 take place with the active involvement and participation of the people of that
Territory, and that the views of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories in
respect of their right to self-determination should be ascertained under the
supervision of the United Nations, on a case-by-case basis,
Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of
ascertaining the situation in the Territories, that some Territories have not received a
United Nations visiting mission for a long time and that no visiting missions have
been sent to some of the Territories, and considering the possibility of sending
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2
See A/56/61, annex.