Trusteeship Council reviews situation in Palau.

The Trusteeship Council, suspending its fifty-eighth session on 14 May, unanimously expressed the hope that the people of Palau would be able to complete the process of exercising freely their right to selfdetermination.

In adopting its conclusions and recommendations without a vote, the Council noted with satisfaction assurances given by the United States, which is the Administering Authority of Palau-the last remaining entity of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands-that it was prepared to assist in any appropriate endeavour leading to the final determination of a political status of Palau, in accordance with the free choice of its people.

During the session, which started on 3 May, the Council considered political, economic, social and educational conditions in Palau. It heard statements by Palauan government officials and petitioners, reviewed written communications and petitions from individuals and groups, and examined the annual report of the Administering Authority for the period ended 30 September 1990.

In a closing statement, Council President Thomas L. Richardson of the United Kingdom said there were some significant discussions on the horizon which could have a crucial impact on the future of Palau.

Other issues on the Council agenda concerned: dissemination of information on the International Trusteeship System; study and training facilities for inhabitants of the remaining Trust Territory; and cooperation with UN bodies such as the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Special Committee on decolonization.

Petitioner concerns

Concern over the possible consequences of premature termination of the Trusteeship Agreement for Palau was expressed by some petitioners during the session. In addition, criticism of Secretarial Order No. 3142, issued by the United States Department of the Interior in October 1990, was voiced.

The Assistant Secretary for Territorial and International Affairs of the United States Department of the Interior, Stella Guerra, stated that the Order addressed several needs related to the continuing responsibilites of the Administering Authority, including the need for improved fiscal responsibility and a national master development plan to map Palau's economic future. It had been favourably received by the local population, she added.

In debate, the United States assured the Council that its intention was not to force Palau to make a decision regarding its political status, but to...