24 November 1981

70th plenary meeting

Question of American Samoa

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of American Samoa,

Having examined the relevant chapters of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,

Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and all other resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to American Samoa,

Taking into account the statement of the administering Power relating to developments in American Samoa,

Conscious of the need to promote progress towards the full implementation of the Declaration in respect of American Samoa,

Welcoming the active participation of the administering Power in the related work of the Special Committee and expressing the hope that this co-operation will be strengthened further so as to accelerate progress towards the full implementation of the Declaration with regard to American Samoa,

Having examined the report of the United Nations Visiting Mission dispatched to the Territory in July 1981,

Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of American Samoa and stressing the necessity for diversifying the Territory's economy as a matter of priority in order to reduce its dependence on fluctuating economic activities,

1. Approves the report of the United Nations Visiting Mission to American Samoa and endorses the observations, conclusions and recommendations contained therein;

2. Also approves the chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to American Samoa;

3. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of American Samoa to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples;

4. Reiterates the view that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and limited natural resources should in no way delay the speedy implementation of the Declaration, which fully applies to the Territory;

5. Expresses its appreciation to the members of the Visiting Mission for the constructive work accomplished and to the administering Power and the Government and people of American Samoa for the co-operation and assistance extended to the Mission;

6. Calls upon the Government of the United States of America, as the administering Power, to take all necessary steps, taking into account the freely expressed wishes of the people of American Samoa, to expedite the process of decolonization of the Territory in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration;

7. Reaffirms that it is the responsibility of the administering Power to ensure that the people of American Samoa are kept fully informed of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, in accordance with the Declaration contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

8. Reaffirms also the responsibility of the administering Power for the economic and social development of the Territory;

9. Calls upon the administering Power to take all possible steps to strengthen and diversify the economy of American Samoa and to work out concrete programmes of assistance and economic development for the Territory;

10. Urges the administering Power to continue to foster close relations and co-operation between the people of the Territory and the neighbouring island communities;

11. Urges the administering Power, in co-operation with the freely elected representatives of American Samoa, to safeguard the inalienable right of the people of the Territory to the enjoyment of their natural resources by taking effective measures which guarantee the right of the people to own and dispose of those resources and to establish and maintain control over their future development;

12. Requests the Special Committee to continue the consideration of this question at its next session, including the possible dispatch of a further visiting mission to American Samoa at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Power, and to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session on the implementation of the present resolution.