Programme for special UN Decade on decolonization considered.

• Position: International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism

Colonialism in all its forms is incompatible with the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1960 Declaration on decolonization and poses a serious threat to international peace and security.

So stated the General Assembly on 11 December in taking action on a wide range of decolonization issues, including work on an action plan for the international Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. Twenty-one to twenty-five texts on decolonization were adopted by the Assembly on the recommendation of its Fourth Committee (Decolonization).

Committee Chairman Robert Van Lierop Of Vanuatu said the process of decolonization was like a marathon race: in both cases it was more difficult to finish than to start. Namibia's impending independence was a step closer to the completion of the decolonization process, the Organization's own "marathon", he went on. The international community must guarantee the timely completion of the final stages of Namibia's evolution to independence.

The Decade to end colonialism "encompassed one of the most laudable goals of the UN", he said. The completion of the decolonization process was the greatest assurance of the security and peaceful development of countries which had already attained their political independence.

The Assembly reaffirmed its determination to act to ensure "the complete and speedy eradication of colonialism," as well as its recognition of the legitimacy of the struggle of the peoples under colonial and alien domination to exercise their right to self-determination and independence "by all the necessary means at their disposal".

In 1988, the Assembly declared the 1990s as the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. In 1989, it requested suggestions from Member States and UN organizations as input for an action plan for the Decade aimed at ushering in the twenty-first century as a world free from colonialism".

The Assembly also endorsed the programme of activities recommended by the Special Committee on decolonization in observance of the thirtieth anniversary of the 1960 Declaration on decolonization. Among other things, a special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly will be held in October 1990, at which a special declaration is scheduled for adoption.

New Caledonia, 13 small Territories

Noting the positive measures being pursued in New Caledonia by the French authorities to promote political, economic and social development in the Territory, the...