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
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