61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Statement by Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, First Secretary, in the General Debate of the Special Political and Decolonization (4th) Committee on Decolonization Items (Agenda Items 35 to 39) - 3 October 2006

Mr. Chairman,

1. On behalf of the Pakistan delegation, I would like to felicitate you on assuming the chairmanship of the Committee for this session of the General Assembly. We assure you and other members of the Bureau of our full support. Let me also avail this opportunity to express our appreciation to your predecessor, Ambassador Yashar Aliyev of Azerbaijan, for his skilful handling of the Committee’s work during the last session.
2. Let me also thank the Chairman of the Special Committee on Decolonization, for his opening statement yesterday, and its Rapporteur, for introducing the Committee’s report for 2006. Pakistan appreciates the important contribution and efforts that the Special Committee continues to make in order to accomplish the unfinished agenda of de-colonization in accordance with the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.
3. Accordingly, we support the recommendations contained in the Special Committees’ report A/61/23. We support the call on the administering powers to take all necessary steps for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and the relevant UN resolutions. In that regard, we recall 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. Enhanced cooperation of the administering powers with the Special Committee can contribute to the afore-mentioned objectives. We therefore welcome the participation of some administering powers in the work of the Special Committee, and call upon others for formal participation.
4. On their part, the specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the UN must also increase their assistance to the Territories. It is regretful that despite repeated requests over the years, only some of these agencies and organizations have been providing such assistance to the Territories. We also support the recommendations by the Special Committee to the UN system and beyond to improve and expand the efforts for the widest possible dissemination of information on de-colonization, with particular emphasis on the options of self-determination available to the peoples of the Territories. Holding of seminars and visits of missions to the Territories should continue to be promoted.

Mr. Chairman,

5. De-colonization has been one of the major achievements of the United Nations. The process, however, is far from being complete. Progress over the last couple of years has become very slow. This is particularly discouraging as we are already past the half way mark in the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. We must therefore redouble our efforts for complete eradication of colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. That is also the unfinished agenda of the 2005 World Summit Outcome, which rededicated to uphold the right to self-determination of peoples, which remain under colonial domination and foreign occupation.
6. Needless to say, achievement of the above objectives hinges on implementation. Implementation was also the key word in the statement of the Chairman of the Special Committee. A collective endeavour by the international community, in particular, a coordinated response from the UN System and the administering powers, is required for implementation. We sincerely hope that the Plan of Implementation of the De-colonization Mandate (2006-2007) (A/60/853) presented by the Chairman of the Special Committee will be considered earnestly by all concerned to implement their respective actions called for in the UN resolutions.
7. As the Chairman of the Special Committee stated yesterday, the cooperation and engagement of the Government of New Zealand with regard to Tokelau is exemplary and should serve as a guide for other administering powers. Irrespective of the result of the referendum in Tokelau earlier this year, what is important is that the referendum was held. And as long as cooperation and dialogue continue, there will be hope for the people of Tokelau. Similar ray of hope should also be visible to all other peoples under colonial domination and foreign occupation including but not limited to the remaining Territories on the agenda of the Special Committee.

Mr. Chairman,

8. All peoples have the right to self-determination. The General Assembly has reaffirmed, year after year, that in the process of decolonization, there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination, which is also a fundamental human right.
9. We are faced with complex challenges today with regard to the exercise of the right of self-determination. The question of Western Sahara for example has been a cause of tension and friction between brothers. Pakistan enjoys close relations with both sides. We support a mutually acceptable, negotiated, peaceful settlement that provides for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, and which will promote lasting peace and cooperation in the region. We hope the parties will be able to find an agreed way forward.

Mr. Chairman,

10. As you recalled yesterday, 46 years ago, the General Assembly 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 validity of that declaration and the threat to international peace and security is evident from several situations around the globe which are characterized by colonialism, illegal occupation, and alien subjugation of peoples.
11. Clearly, the implementation of the Declaration and the de-colonization agenda and hence the extension of the right of self-determination are not limited to the Non-Self Governing Territories alone. Recent events in the Middle East have shown that lasting and comprehensive peace cannot be achieved in continued denial and suppression of the legitimate right of self-determination of the Palestinian people. Our steadfast support for a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian issue is therefore driven by the interest of freedom, peace and prosperity for all countries of the region and beyond.
12. The UN Security Council has in several resolutions recognized the legitimate right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. A resolution of the dispute over Jammu & Kashmir is central to the establishment of durable peace in South Asia. A peaceful solution will need to be acceptable to Pakistan, India, and above all, to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan is engaged in a composite dialogue with India to address all outstanding differences, including the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. We hope the recent meeting between President Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Havana will help carry forward the peace process and lead to a resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Thank you.