Fourth committee.

• Position: Decolonization

Fourth Committee

THE Fourth Committee (Decolonization) considered information on a number of questions, transmitted to it by the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Preoples, in its 1983 report (A/38/23 parts IV, VI, VIII).

In considering the implementation of the 1960 decolonization Declaration, the Committee had before it a number of reports, including the report of the Secretary-General (document A/38/111 and Add.1-4) and two reports of the Sub-Committee on Petitions, Information and Assistance (documents A/AC.109/L.1475 and Add.1, and A/AC.109/L.1487).

The Sub-Committee reports detail consultations with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and representatives of national liberation movements, statements of the OAU, the South West Africa People's Organization, the African National Congress of South Africa and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, as well as information received by the Sub-Committee from the International Labour Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on measures taken regarding the Declaration's implementation.

The report of the Secretary-General contains the summaries of information received from the organizations concerned on action taken or envisaged in implementing Assembly resolution 37/233 A, C and E relating to the question of Namibia.

Territories under Consideration

The Fourth Committee reviewed information on 18 Territories, based on reports transmitted to it by the Special Committee on decolonization. Recommendations of the Special Committee were also considered by the Committee.

Western Sahara

The report of the Secretary-General on Western Sahara (document A/38/555) details consideration of the question by the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the OAU and its Implementation Committee. The Secretary-General states he had maintained close contacts with the OAU in regard to common efforts for a just and lasting solution to the problem. He said he would continue to do everything possible to render the necessary assistance to the OAU in the application of the relevant decisions adopted by its Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Gibraltar

On 14 September 1983, the Special Committee--taking into account the continuing discussion between Spain and the United Kingdom, the parties concerned--decided, without objection, to continue its consideration of the item at its next session, subject to any directives which the Assembly might give in that connection.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

On 14 September 1983, the Special Committee noted the continuing co-operation of Australia, as the administering Power, with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on decolonization. It reaffirmed that it was the responsibility of the administering Power to create conditions under which the people of the Islands would be able to determine freely their own future in conformity with relevant Assembly resolutions.

In that respect, the Special Committee noted the administering Power's positive and continuing commitment to the political, social and economic...