unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/25/89)
FOURTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES DEBATE ON DECOLONIZATION Posting Date: 10/20/89 Copyright UNITEX Communications, 1989 UNITEX Network, USA ISSN: 1043-7932 The need for the United Nations to be alert in order to ensure the holding of free and fair elections in Namibia, and the need for an on-going dialogue in Western Sahara were stressed by delegates this morning as the Fourth Committee (Decolonization) continued its debate on remaining decolonization items. Statements in the debate were made by Iran, Mali, Viet Nam, Nicaragua, Singapore, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. The Committee also heard five petitioners. The Committee will continue debate when it meets again at 10 a.m. on Monday 23 October. Committee Programme The Fourth Committee meets this morning to hear petitioners and continue its debate on the question of New Caledonia. The Committee decided that the petitioners would be heard on the general item of "Implementation of the Declaration of the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples" as allocated to the Fourth Committee. Statements Made DICK UKEIWE, speaking on behalf of the Rassamblement pour la Republique, said he represented the great majority of Caledonians. Other speakers from New Caledonia had been somewhat in bad faith and offensive. All cultures and faiths were respected in New Caledonia and everyone was free to practise the religion of his choice. Speakers before the Committee had expressed the desire for decolonization, but New Caledonia was no longer a colony. It had been decided to break the cycle of violence and sign the Matignon Accords. He said there must be respect for the different components of the Caledonian community. Sixteen months ago, Caledonians had decided to "bandage their wounds ... and set out on the road to forgiveness and dialogue". The Front de lib|ration nationale kanak socialiste (FLNKS) would honour its commitment to preserve peace, freedom and social justice within the fraternity of New Caledonia. RENAGI RENAGI LOHIA (Papua New Guinea) said he believed that Mr. Ukeiwe was speaking on behalf of the Administering Authority. He encouraged both Mr. Ukeiwe and the Administering Authority to provide information to the United Nations. He had hoped that the petitioner would have addressed some of the important areas of concern. He would have liked some information on land reforms as they related to the indigenous people of New Caledonia. Most of the productive land was held by the settlers. He would also have liked information on the educational advances made by the Kanak people since 1953. PIERRE MENAT (France) said the petitioner had spoken in his own capacity and not on behalf of any delegation. Mr. UKEIWE of the Rassamblement pour la Republique, said that last week the parties who had signed the Matignon Accords had met in Paris and had discussed implementation of the Accord. Land reform was part of that Accord. It had been decided some years ago that there would be redistribution of land in an atmosphere of dignity. In the coming days, 30,000 hectares of land would be redistributed. There was a programme that would last for several years under the Accord that would help their Melanesian compatriots to catch up. Right now, however, there was a problem in training. He would request that all the measures and policies regarding social and economic development be communicated to the Committee. Mr. LOHIA (Papua New Guinea) said he wanted clarification on the quality of the land that was to be redistributed. Was it arable? He said that most of the land on which the Kanaks lived was arid. He asked how many Kanaks had higher education, and how many would be participating in managerial positions in New Caledonia? Mr. UKEIWE of the Rassamblement pour la Republique, said there was an agency for development that was responsible for the distribution of land and for monitoring the quality of the land. Everything would be done so that the Melanesians could participate in the economic development of New Caledonia. Most of the arable territory would be distributed to the Melanesian people. Through the Matignon Accords, there would be an attempt to increase the number of Melanesians in positions of authority. In the years to come, he would be able to come before the Committee and state how many Melanesians had been able to take up important positions under the Accord. Mr. LOHIA (Papua New Guinea) asked what the political status of * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | United Nations | Screen Gems in patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | misc.headlines.unitex patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-