CARIBBEAN SEMINAR ON SMALL ISLAND TERRITORIES TO BE HELD 25-27 MAY, DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE TOLD

31 March 1999

Press Release
GA/COL/2997

CARIBBEAN SEMINAR ON SMALL ISLAND TERRITORIES TO BE HELD 25-27 MAY, DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE TOLD

19990331 Committee Approves Guidelines for Seminar, Decides To Observe 'Week of Solidarity' with Peoples Fighting Colonialism

The Caribbean Regional Seminar to review the political, economic and social conditions in the small island Non-Self-Governing Territories will be held at Castries, Saint Lucia, from 25 to 27 May, the Special Committee on Decolonization was told this morning. The Seminar is taking place within the framework of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism declared by General Assembly resolution 46/181 of 19 December 1991.

As the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples held its second meeting of the current year, its Chairman informed Committee members that the dates for the Seminar had been confirmed by the Government of Saint Lucia. The Special Committee then approved the guidelines and rules of procedure for the Seminar and decided to conduct consultations within regional groups to determine the composition of the delegations.

The representative of the Russian Federation said that some of the issues discussed by the Special Committee could have serious financial consequences, and he wanted the cost to be covered through available resources. The representative of Indonesia supported the main thrust of decolonization activities and said that they should take into account the particular circumstances of each Non-Self Governing Territory.

The Committee this morning also approved its work programme and decided to observe, during the same week as the Regional Seminar, the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of All Colonial Territories Fighting for Freedom, Independence and Human Rights.

Speaking on that matter, the representative of Cuba suggested that the activities for the Week of Solidarity should also be observed at United Nations Headquarters, in order to publicize it as much as possible. The delegates from Grenada, Côte d'Ivoire and Fiji supported that proposal.

Decolonization Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/COL/2997 2nd Meeting (AM) 31 March 1999

The Chairman suggested that, if the General Assembly was in session, the Special Committee could request that its President make an appropriate announcement. The representative of Cuba said that the Chairman of the Committee should also make a statement. The Chairman was authorized to consult the Bureau members regarding arrangements to be presented to the Special Committee at a later date.

As in previous years, the Special Committee also authorized its Bureau to decide on funding for the travel to the Regional Seminar of representatives of five non-governmental organizations from the Non-Self-Governing Territories and to invite other non-funded non-governmental organizations from the region. It also decided that invitations should be sent to the following regional organizations: the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Association of South- East Asian Nations (ASEAN); the South Pacific Forum; and the Organization of American States (OAS).

The representatives of Chile and Papua New Guinea spoke on procedural matters.

The next meeting of the Special Committee will be held at a date to be announced.

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