Document II-45

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, APPROVED DECEMBER 15, 1964 (EXCERPT) 18

H. REVIEW OF WORK

152. By resolution 1956 (XVIII)," the General Assembly requested the Special Committee to continue to seek the best ways and means for the immediate and total application of the Declaration 20 to all territories which have not yet attained independence and to report to the Assembly not later than at its nineteeth session." By the same resolution, the General Assembly requested the administering Powers to give their full co-operation to the Special Committee. 153. During the debates at the eighteenth session of the General Assembly, which led to the adoption of resolution 1956 (XVIII), several delegations expressed concern at the delay in the implementation of the Declaration which, as had been pointed out by the Special Committee in an earlier report, was an expression of the universal desire to expedite the process of the liberation of colonial peoples. The hope was expressed by some that full implementation of the Declaration might be achieved by 1965, the twentieth year of the United Nations, which has been designated as International Co-operation Year. The attention of the Special Committee was also drawn by many delegations to the need for it to give particular consideration to the small (island) colonial territories which had not been previously examined and to recommend ways and means for the speedy implementation of the Declaration in this regard.

154. The Special Committee wishes to report to the General Assembly that, in the course of its work in 1964, it examined the implementation of the Declaration in respect of fifty-five territories. These include several small territories to which the Committee's attention was drawn at the eighteenth session and which had never before been considered individually. However, the Special Committee recognizes that, in spite of its having met almost continuously from February to December 1964, it has not been able to complete the task entrusted to it by the General Assembly.

155. The Special Committee noted with satisfaction the attainment of independence during the year by three of the Territories which had been the subject of consideration by the General Assembly and by the Special Committee, namely Nyasaland (Malawi), Malta, and Northern Rhodesia (Zambia)." However, the serious concern, previously expressed in General Assembly resolution 1956 (XVIII), regarding the delay in the total application of the Declaration continued to be felt. This has also been reflected in important resolutions and declarations concerning decolonization in general and in relation to individual territories by the Assembly of Heads of African States and Governments at its first ordinary session in July 1964, and by the Second Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries in October 1964."

156. At the outset of its work, the Special Committee considered that its examination of the Territories would be facilitated by full information on the steps taken by the administering Powers to implement the Declaration. Ac

"U.N. doc. A/5800, Dec. 31, 1964, pp. 52–58.

"Text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, pp. 164-166. *Reference is to the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples; text ibid., 1960, pp. 110-111.

"The report of the Committee of 24 was not voted on during the 1964 portion of the 19th General Assembly. On Feb. 18, 1965, the General Assembly took note of the report and indicated its wish that the work of the Committee continue. *See ante, doc. II-28; also post, doc. VIII-38.

cordingly, the Chairman on behalf of the Special Committee wrote identical letters to the Permanent Representatives of Australia, France, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America requesting information on the constitutional progress that had been made in the Territories under their administration since the adoption of the Declaration and on the measures which have been taken or were being contemplated to implement the Declaration. With the exception of the Government of South Africa, from which no response has been received, and the Government of Portugal, whose response was negative in character, the administering Powers submitted information or indicated their readiness to furnish information at the appropriate time in statements to the Committee." This information was taken into account by the Special Committee in its consideration of the Territories concerned.

157. By letter dated 20 October 1964 addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee the representative of the United Kingdom transmitted to the Committee a calendar of constitutional advance summarizing the main developments in the Territories for which the United Kingdom Government was responsible covering the period September 1963 to October 1964. At its 319th meeting the Special Committee decided to reproduce the letter of the representative of the United Kingdom and the enclosed calendar of constitutional advance as an annex to the present report (Annex I)."

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25

158. As in previous years, the Special Committee gave extensive consideration to the larger Territories in Africa as well as to Aden and British Guiana which represent some of the most difficult colonial problems.

159. The question of Southern Rhodesia was thus the subject of priority consideration and of several resolutions adopted by the Committee." While the United Kingdom Government continued to participate in the work of the Committee and received the Sub-Committee on Southern Rhodesia in London for discussions, it maintained its initial position that it had not the competence to implement the various resolutions of the General Assembly and the Special Committee on the question. At the same time, the United Kingdom Government reaffirmed its intention of granting independence to Southern Rhodesia only on a basis acceptable to the people of the Territory as a whole, and recently announced measures it would take if the present Southern Rhodesia Government resorted to a unilateral declaration of independence. No progress has, however, been made by the United Kingdom Government towards the basic objectives of the resolutions of the General Assembly and Special Committee; namely, the establishment of complete democratic freedom and equality of political rights, and the convening of a fully representative conference to devise constitutional arrangements, on the basis of universal adult suffrage, for independence at the earliest possible date. In view of the continuing deterioration of the already explosive situation in the Territory to which it has drawn the attention of the Security Council, the Special Committee is convinced of the urgent need to take effective steps to implement the resolutions of the General Assembly and Special Committee.

160. As regards the Territories under Portuguese administration," the Government of Portugal persisted in its refusal to implement the measures called for in the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly and it continued to disregard its obligation to transmit information under Article 73 e of the Charter. Further, it again rejected the invitation of the Special Committee to co-operate with it in its consideration of the Territories. On the basis of its

25 For text of Chairman's letter and replies thereto, see A/AC.109/71 and Add. 1-4. [Footnote in source text.] The Chairman of the Committee of 24 was

Sori Coulibaly of Mali.

26

Not printed here.

* See U.N. doc. A/5800/Add. 4.

See ibid., doc. A/5800/Add. 5.

"See post, doc. VIII-55.

30 See supra.

Text of the U.N. Charter in American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basio Documents, vol. I, pp. 134–161.

previously expressed position regarding the status of these Territories, that Government recently carried out certain changes which, however, only affect representation in local legislative and administrative organs, the competence of which is rigidly circumscribed, and participation of territorial representatives in certain central bodies, the role of which is purely consultative. Thus these changes did not effect any modification of the constitutional relationship between Portugal and the Territories. Nor do they represent any progress in the direction laid down in the resolutions. Further, the Portuguese Government has not taken any steps to discontinue its acts of repression or to establish conditions for the free functioning of political parties in the Territories. In the view of the Special Committee, this grave situation requires consideration, by the Security Council, of appropriate measures to secure compliance by Portugal with the resolutions. Meanwhile, the Special Committee has initiated a study of the activities of foreign economic and other interests which are impeding the application of the Declaration in these Territories and their accession to independence.

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32

161. With regard to South West Africa, the Government of South Africa maintained its refusal to co-operate in the work of the Special Committee. In flagrant disregard of the resolutions of the General Assembly concerning South West Africa, the South African Government intensified the application of apartheid policies in the Territory. It also declared its intention to proceed with the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry into South West Africa Affairs 1962-63, the ultimate effect of which would be the partition and disintegration of the Territory, and its absorption into South Africa. Further, the South African Government refused to permit the establishment in the Territory of an office of a United Nations Technical Assistance Representative. Some of the responsibility for South Africa's continued violation of the United Nations Charter and the Mandate, as well as the resolutions of the General Assembly, must rest with those States which have failed to take the measures envisaged in paragraph 7 of General Assembly resolution 1899 (XVIII). Those States which also condone and acquiesce in the support given to South Africa by their nationals who own and operate mining and other international companies in the Territory bear an additional share of the responsibility. In this connexion, the Special Committee has submitted a separate report in accordance with paragraph 8 of General Assembly resolution 1899 (XVIII) on the implications of the activities of the mining industry and other international companies having interests in South West Africa. The Special Committee has drawn the attention of the Security Council to the critical situation in the Territory which continues to be a serious threat to international peace and security.

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35

162. The non-implementation of the Declaration in certain other Territories and the conditions of grave tension consequently prevailing in them were also a matter of serious concern to the Special Committee. In Aden, the maintenance by the United Kingdom Government of a state of emergency and the carrying out of military operations caused a deterioration in the situation and led to increased tension in the area. However, the United Kingdom Government refused to agree to a visit to the Territory by the Sub-Committee on Aden and, moreover, declined to receive it in London for discussions with a view to implementing the resolutions of the General Assembly and Special Committee concerning the Territory. Consequently, the Sub-Committee was denied the opportunity to effectively discharge the tasks entrusted to it. The Constitutional Conference held in June/July 1964, from which representatives of several important sections of the population were excluded, was not in keeping with the resolutions on Aden; nor were the subsequent elections, which were held on the basis of a restricted franchise and in an atmosphere characterized by constraint and restriction of political freedom. In this connexion it may be recalled that the

See post, docs. VIII-52-53.

Reference is to the so-called Odendaal Commission, whose report was published by the Government of the Republic of South Africa on Jan. 27, 1964. The report is summarized in Yearbook of the United Nations, 1964, pp. 436 ff.

"Text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, pp. 705–708. 25 See post, docs. VII-24 et seq.

establishment of an effective United Nations presence before and after these elections as requested by the General Assembly in its resolution 1949 (XVII) has also not been possible. In order to resolve the present dangerous situation and to ensure the prompt application of the Declaration, immediate measures require to be taken by the United Kingdom Government to implement the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Special Committee concerning the Territory.

163. Again, as regards British Guiana, the United Kingdom Government declined to permit a visit to the Territory by the Sub-Committee of Good Offices established by the Special Committee and failed to take the necessary measures to grant immediate independence to the Territory. Meanwhile, the conditions of disharmony, unrest and conflict in the Territory persisted. While noting that it is the intention of the United Kingdom Government to convene a constitutional conference as soon as possible after the elections to decide on a date for independence, the Special Committee considers that the solution to the problems of the Territory lies in the complete and immediate implementation of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and Special Committee."

164. Another important question affecting the implementation of the Declaration, which engaged the attention of the Special Committee, related to the smaller Territories in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean areas and in the Caribbean.* The Special Committee is convinced that the provisions of the Declaration are fully applicable to these Territories and that appropriate measures to this end should be taken without delay, in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the people. At the same time, as was apparent during the Committee's consideration of these Territories, the task of formulating concrete recommendations for the total application of the Declaration was sometimes hampered by the lack of adequate information on the political, economic and social situation in the Territories concerned and as to the opinions, wishes and aspirations of the people. This consideration is of particular significance in view of the problems arising from the small size and population, geographical location and limited natural resources of many of these Territories.

165. For this reason, the Special Committee wishes to lay special stress on the importance of sending out visiting groups. Visiting missions would be of invaluable assistance to the Special Committee in obtaining first-hand information on the political, economic and social situations in the Territories concerned, in ascertaining the views of the people as regards their future and, where necessary, in bringing together through the use of good offices different political elements and thus to help them in attaining the goals laid down in the Declaration. As pointed out in the last report of the Special Committee," the carrying out of such functions by visiting missions does not amount to interference in the internal affairs of a Territory, nor does it detract from the responsibility of the administering Power for the internal administration of that Territory. On the contrary, it flows from the responsibilities of the United Nations deriving from the provisions of the Charter and from the Declaration. The Special Committee, therefore, wishes to reiterate that by refusing access to a visiting group established by the Special Committee to a Territory to which the Declaration is applicable, the administering Power concerned is denying the Special Committee one of the most effective means of discharging the tasks assigned to it by the General Assembly.

166. Another question affecting the implementation of the Declaration, which the Special Committee had to deal with, was that raised by disputes regarding sovereignty over certain Non-Self-Governing Territories. The Special Committee is convinced that the Declaration is fully applicable to such Territories and believes that such disputes can be peacefully resolved through negotiation, in keeping with the provisions of the Declaration and bearing in mind the interests of the peoples.

*Text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, pp. 593–594. "See ibid., pp. 163–164.

88 See U.N. docs. A/5800/Add. 5–7.

29 U.N. doc. A/5446/Rev. 1.

I. The Specialized Agencies

THE INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

Document II-46

Operations of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development During the Period January 1-June 30, 1964: REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, SUBMITTED JANUARY 29, 1965 (EXCERPT)1

The Bank continued its policy of selecting projects on the basis of their contribution to the borrower's economic development and the effective utilization of all available resources. Mr. Woods, the President of the Bank, speaking at the Annual Meeting in September 1963 indicated that the Bank would consider modification of its lending terms in appropriate situations, "so that they will be more suitable for the new kinds of clients and the new kinds of projects that must begin to concern us." In implementation of this new policy, the Bank, in February 1964, authorized a $45 million loan for the development of electric power in Colombia, with a maturity of 35 years. The Bank, in the current period, also approved a $3.3 million highway loan to Liberia with a grace period of 8 years. The new terms are designed to alleviate the burden of short-term debt service which continues to present a serious problem in many of the developing countries. Other new lending policies of the Bank and its affiliates are discussed more fully in the Council's Ninth Special Report. After the close of the period under review, the Executive Directors of the Bank submitted for action by the Board of Governors a proposal to amend the Articles of Agreement of the Bank and the IFC to authorize loans by the Bank to the IFC.3

MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

In February 1964, Kenya became a member of the Bank with a capital subscription of $33.3 million. In the current period, subscription increases totaling $55.6 million also became effective for the following countries: Ecuador ($4.3 million), El Salvador ($4.7 million), Israel ($33.3 million) and the Syrian Arab Republic ($13.3 million). On June 30, 1964, the Bank had 102 members and a total subscribed capital of $21,186 million (see appendix table D-1).

1

1 H. Doc. 70, 89th Cong., Feb. 2, 1965, pp. 9-14. Part III of the NAC report. "See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, pp. 179–180. See doc. II-47, infra.

'Not printed here, but see table B-1 annexed to doc. II-47, infra. ̧,