A/RES/56/72
IV. British Virgin Islands
Noting the completion of the constitutional review in the Territory and the
coming into force of the amended Constitution, and noting also the results of the
general elections held on 17 May 1999,
Noting also the results of the constitutional review of 1993–1994, which made
it clear that a prerequisite to independence must be a constitutionally expressed wish
by the people as a result of a referendum,
Taking note of the statement made in 1995 by the Chief Minister of the British
Virgin Islands that the Territory was ready for constitutional and political
advancement towards full internal self-government and that the administering Power
should assist through the gradual transfer of power to elected territorial
representatives,
Noting that the Territory is emerging as one of the world’s leading offshore
financial centres,
Noting also the need for continued cooperation between the administering
Power and the territorial Government in countering drug trafficking and moneylaundering,
Noting further that the Territory commemorated its annual British Virgin
Islands-United States Virgin Islands Friendship Day on 27 May 2000 in official
ceremonies on Tortola,
1.
Requests the administering Power, bearing in mind the views of the
people of the Territory ascertained through a democratic process, to keep the
Secretary-General informed of the wishes and aspirations of the people regarding
their future political status;
2.
Requests the administering Power, the specialized agencies and other
organizations of the United Nations system and all financial institutions to continue
to provide assistance to the Territory for socio-economic development and the
development of human resources, bearing in mind the vulnerability of the Territory
to external factors;
V. Cayman Islands
Noting the constitutional review of 1992–1993, according to which the
population of the Cayman Islands expressed the sentiment that the existing relations
with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland should be
maintained and that the current status of the Territory should not be altered,
Aware that the Territory has one of the highest per capita incomes in the
region, a stable political climate and virtually no unemployment,
Noting the actions taken by the territorial Government to implement its
localization programme to promote increased participation by the local population
in the decision-making process in the Cayman Islands,
Noting with concern the vulnerability of the Territory to drug trafficking,
money-laundering and related activities,
Noting the measures taken by the authorities to deal with those problems,
Noting also that the Territory has emerged as one of the world’s leading
offshore financial centres,
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