|
|
Mr. Chairman,
On behalf of the Pakistan delegation, I would like to felicitate you on
assuming the stewardship of this Committee for the 60th Session of the General
Assembly. I would also like to extend similar felicitations to other members of
the Bureau. Let me also express our appreciation to your predecessor Ambassador
Swe of Myanmar for the successful handling of the Committee’s work over the past
year.
Mr. Chairman,
2. 2005 has been termed as the year of review and reform at the United Nations –
with the purpose of enabling the organization to effectively address the myriad
challenges, both old and new, faced by the international community.
3. Eradication of colonialism has been and continues to be one of the main
priorities of the United Nations. Appropriately therefore, at the September
Summit, our leaders rededicated themselves to uphold the right to
self-determination of peoples, which remain under colonial domination and
foreign occupation.
4. Progress in de-colonization has been a major achievement of the United
Nations. The de-colonization agenda is, however, not yet complete. There remain
Non- Self-Governing Territories that have yet to exercise their right to
self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions. In that
regard, a number of outstanding challenges have been pointed out in the report
of the Special Committee and various other reports by the Secretariat. A
progress review is therefore very much in order. Incidentally, this Session also
coincides with the mid term review of the Second International Decade for the
Eradication of Colonialism.
Mr. Chairman,
5. In the context of progress review, my delegation would like to note that the
legislative authority and the commitment towards de-colonization are very much
there. Implementation is, however, insufficient. The framework was set by the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples
(of 14 December 1960). Resolutions continue to be adopted year after year by the
General Assembly and other bodies including this Committee. We adopted the
International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (1990-2000).
Regrettably, the Plan of Action could not be concluded during that decade.
Subsequently the Second International Decade was adopted with the call to
redouble the efforts to implement the Plan of Action.
6. It is clear that the unfinished agenda can only be fulfilled through
implementation. We therefore fully support the view of the Chairman of the
Special Committee that the second half of this Decade must be concentrated on
implementation.
7. Effective implementation entails action and cooperation at all levels – by
the peoples of the Territories, the administering powers, the international
community and the UN system as a whole as enumerated in the Plan of Action.
8. The Special Committee has contributed invaluably over the years in advancing
the de-colonization process. We appreciate in particular the admirable work done
by the Committee under the Chairmanship of President Julian Hunte. We appreciate
the report presented by the Committee’s Rapporteur, the Permanent Representative
of Syria. Pakistan shall continue to extend its full support to the work of the
Special Committee.
9. Pakistan supports the recommendations of the Special Committee contained in
its report A/60/23. We welcome the intention of the Special Committee to
develop, in consultation with the administering powers and the people of the
Territories concerned, accelerated action plans for the de-colonization of
certain Territories. We fully support the Special Committee’s recommendation for
provision of resources to cover its activities envisaged for 2006.
10. As the Chairman of the Special Committee just told us, the Committee alone
cannot achieve full decolonization. Other actors must also fulfill their part.
The administering powers, in particular, must cooperate with the UN and the
Special Committee for full implementation of the Declaration in accordance with
the relevant resolutions of the Assembly, and for the finalization before the
end of 2005 of a constructive programme of work on a case-by-case basis for the
Non-Self-Governing Territories. It is the responsibility of the administering
powers to create conditions in the Territories that would enable their people to
exercise freely and without interference their inalienable right to
self-determination. We welcome the participation of some administering powers in
the work of the Special Committee, and urge others for formal participation. The
administering powers must also allow the representatives of the Territories
concerned to participate in the discussions in the Special Committee and the 4th
Committee.
11. Specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the UN
must also increase their assistance to the Territories as called for in the
relevant resolutions. We regret that only some of them have been involved in
providing such assistance to the Territories.
12. Improved and effective dissemination of information must be given a higher
priority. This is vital for the peoples of the Territories not only to increase
their awareness about UN activities and programmes of assistance but also to
understand the options regarding their political status and their right to
choose their future freely. Visits of Missions to the Territories and holding of
seminars like the one in Canouan in May 2005 are also important in furthering
the de-colonization objectives.
Mr. Chairman,
13. Pakistan believes there is no alternative to the principle of
self-determination in the process of de-colonization. Pakistan welcomes the
cooperation of New Zealand and Tokelau in the negotiations in preparation for
the exercise of the right of self-determination by the people of Tokelau. We
welcome the developments in New Caledonia based on the principle that it is for
the populations of New Caledonia to choose how to control their destiny. We
encourage the concerned parties in the case of Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and
Gibraltar to undertake negotiations to find peaceful and definitive solutions to
those issues.
14. With regard to the question of Western Sahara, Pakistan supports a
negotiated peaceful settlement that provides for self-determination in
accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. Pakistan
therefore encourages the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually
acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of
the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the
principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.
Mr. Chairman,
15. In its historic Declaration 45 years ago, the General Assembly solemnly
proclaimed the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end,
colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. To that end, it declared that
“the subjection of people to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation
constitutes a denial of fundamental rights, is contrary to the Charter of the
United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and
cooperation”. The Assembly also declared that all peoples had the right to
self-determination.
16. As we review the implementation of the de-colonization agenda, these must
remain our guiding principles in addressing the continuing challenges of
colonialism, illegal occupation, and alien subjugation of peoples in various
parts of the world.
17. The implementation of the Declaration and the de-colonization agenda are not
limited to the issue of Non-Self Governing Territories. It also encompasses
other peoples still under alien occupation and foreign domination. The aim
therefore is to ensure that all peoples under colonial administration or foreign
occupation are allowed to exercise their inalienable right to
self-determination.
18. We continue to steadfastly support the just struggle of the Palestinian
people for self-determination, freedom and peace.
19. As my Foreign Minister said at the 60th Session of the General Assembly, we
must also give hope for peace to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their
legitimate quest for self-determination. For that it is essential to find a just
solution of the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, acceptable to Pakistan, India
and, above all, to the people of Kashmir. Towards that end, Pakistan remains
committed to the Composite Dialogue with India in the interest of peace and
prosperity in our region.
I would like to conclude by assuring you, Mr. Chairman, of my delegation’s full
support and cooperation in the Committee’s work during the 60th Session.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.