Special Committee on

Decolonization

2^nd Meeting (AM)

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON DECOLONIZATION TO HOLD REGIONAL SEMINAR

IN SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS, 12-14 MAY

The Special Committee on Decolonization today decided it would hold its annual regional seminar from 12 to 14 May, at Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

According to Special Committee Chairperson Marty Natalegawa ( Indonesia), the Committee would send an official delegation representing Indonesia, Cuba, Sierra Leone and Syria -- four Member States currently holding positions on the Bureau.  In addition, Bolivia was endorsed by the Latin American and Caribbean Group as its regional representative, and the Russian Federation as the representative of the Eastern European Group.

Consultations were still ongoing among the Asian Group and African Group on who their representatives would be, he said.

As in previous years, Mr. Natalegawa explained, three experts and three representatives of non-governmental organizations were slated to speak at the seminar, whose participation was approved this morning.  They would include, among others, specialists on decolonization in the Caribbean, as well as representatives of organizations active in constitutional public education, referendum issues and mediation.

The representative of Chile, while he did not voice objection to the list of experts and organizations, stressed that the choice of individuals should reflect the need for new ideas and approaches, especially with the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism nearing its end -- to which Mr. Natalegawa agreed.

The Chairperson added that all elected and appointed officials of Non-Self-Governing Territories, administering Powers, United Nations specialized agencies, some regional organizations and other States were also invited to attend.  Representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories would have their costs borne by the United Nations.

Guidelines for the rules of procedure of the seminar were contained in document A/AC.109/2009/17, he added.

Under other matters, Mr. Natalegawa informed Member States that he had requested the Secretariat to consider the possibility of “updating” the schedule of the Special Committee’s substantive session in June, while being mindful of other United Nations meetings and conferences occurring at the same time.

The Committee intended to use “all available time” for informal consultations on its draft resolutions, including an omnibus resolution covering 11 Non-Self-Governing Territories, he said.

“As you are aware, this is a complex resolution and we need sufficient time in order to negotiate all major elements in it,” he stressed.

The Special Committee will meet again at a time to be announced.

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For information media • not an official record