CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by Ambassador Pedro Núñez  Mosquera, permanent representative of Cuba, at the general debate of the special political and decolonization committee (fourth committee). Agenda items 55-59.

New York, 4 October 2010.

Mr. Chairman,

The year 2010 marks the end of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, deadline set by the Organization to eliminate this scourge, which is a remainder of another epoch. However, there are still many unattained objectives we have agreed upon on decolonization.

The cause of decolonization is and must remain a priority of the United Nations. Cuba supports the decision of the Special Committee on Decolonization to request the General Assembly to declare a Third Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.

This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the emblematic adoption of resolution 1514 (XV), through which the United Nations recognized that all peoples have the right to self-determination and, under that right, to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

The Special Committee on Decolonization, as specialized UN body for the reviewing of this matter, has been very seriously and constantly working to try to comply with its mandate. The Committee has continued and intensified the dialogue and cooperation with the Administering Powers, the Representative of non-self-governing territories, and Member States. Nevertheless, the cause of decolonization requires the full support of the Administering Powers. 

It is of concern the continued failure of some Administering Powers to cooperate with the Committee on Decolonization, disregarding the obligations that, in that regard, derive from the Charter of the United Nations and multiple General Assembly resolutions. Once again, we call upon all Administering Powers to fully cooperate with the Committee. 

This year, a Seminar on Decolonization was held for the second time in a non-self-governing territory, New Caledonia, the authorities of which we wish to thank for their hospitality and support to the successful holding of the Seminar. It would be very useful for the work of the Committee, to continue holding those seminars in non-self-governing territories. 

The discussions of these Seminars, which can be found in the web page on decolonization, should be widely spread through the media among the UN Member States, and could be used in academic debates in other fora. That is why it is so important that the Department of Public Information keeps decolonization among the priorities of its agenda.

Mr. Chairman,

Despite half a century of colonial domination, the Puerto Rican person has never given up its brave and hard fight for the exercise of its legitimate right to independence and self-determination. Although it has not been able to become an independent and sovereign State, the brotherly people of Puerto Rico defends and preserves its own identity as a Latin American and Caribbean nation.

In the framework of the Committee on Decolonization, last June, for eleventh consecutive year, a consensus resolution was adopted, which recognizes the inalienable right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence, under General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV). There are already 29 resolutions and decisions on Puerto Rico adopted by the Committee.

The Special Committee also reiterated its request for the General Assembly to consider the question of Puerto Rico, in a comprehensive manner and in all its aspects.

The 118 Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement have stressed their conviction that the question of Puerto Rico has a colonial nature. In addition, they have requested the US Government to take on its responsibility to expedite a process enabling the Puerto Rican people to fully exercise its inalienable right to self-determination and independence.

The Movement has insisted as well on the need for the prompt implementation of the resolutions on the colonial question of Puerto Rico, adopted by the Special Committee on Decolonization. 

Mr. Chairman,

The United Nations have reaffirmed that the conflict in the Western Sahara is a question of decolonization included in the scope of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV); and therefore it is under the direct responsibility of the United Nations. The Saharan people has the right to determine its own future.

In the last years, four rounds of negotiations and two informal meetings have been held, under the auspices of the Secretary-General, and the parties have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing said negotiations. We hope efforts continue to be made to find a solution guaranteeing self-determination to the Saharan people, in the context of agreements compatible with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV).

Cuba reiterates its unrestricted support to the legitimate right of the Argentine Republic in the dispute on the sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), which part of the national territory of that Latin American sister nation. We call again to find a negotiated, just, and definitive solution to the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), with the least possible delay.

We also back General Assembly resolution 31/49 that calls upon the two parties to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the islands are going through the process recommended by the General Assembly. In this respect, the unilateral actions of the United Kingdom on exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon in areas of the Argentinian continental shelf is contrary to the letter and spirit of this resolution.

Mr. Chairman,

This year, the ECOSOC adopted again a resolution on the support to the non-self-governing territories by UN-related specialized bodies and international institutions.

We reiterate our conviction that non-self-governing territories can obtain considerable benefits as a result of the support these bodies can offer them. Some progress has been made, but there is still much to be done.

The delegation of Cuba would like to reaffirm its confidence that the United Nations General Assembly has a significant role in the fight in defense of the inalienable rights of all peoples worldwide, as it is the most democratic and comprehensive framework of our organization.

I would like to conclude, Mr. Chairman, by reiterating the firm commitment of Cuba to the cause of decolonization, and by urging all Member States to continue working arduously and jointly, so that we can definitively eradicate the scourge of colonialism. 

Thank you

(Cubaminrex-Misión ONU)