A/RES/57/138 A-B
III
Bermuda
Noting the results of the independence referendum held on 16 August 1995,
and conscious of the different viewpoints of the political parties of the Territory on
the future status of the Territory,
Noting also the discussions between the Territory and the administering Power
on internal constitutional changes,
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.
Calls upon the administering Power to continue to work with the
Territory for its socio-economic development;
3.
Welcomes the agreement reached in June 2002 between the United States
of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the
Territory formally transferring the former military base lands to the territorial
Government, and the provision of financial resources to address some of the
environmental problems;
4.
Also welcomes the accession of the Territory to associate membership in
the Caribbean Community;
IV
British Virgin Islands
Noting the last constitutional review in the Territory, conducted by the
administering Power in 1993–1994, the coming into force of the amended
Constitution, and the appointment by the territorial Government of a committee to
assess the implications of independence for the implementation of a
recommendation of the 1993 review,
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
of the people as a result of a referendum,
Taking note of the motion adopted by the Legislative Council in March 2002,
requesting the administering Power to appoint a commission to review the
Constitution with the aim of modernizing it, paying specific attention to the creation
of a sixth ministerial post, the standing of the Territory’s “belonger” status and the
devolution of power from the representative of the administering Power to the
elected Government,
Noting that the Territory continues to emerge as one of the world’s leading
offshore financial centres, and that the financial services sector is becoming the
cornerstone of the Government’s recurrent budget, accounting for over 50 per cent
of government revenue, and also noting the establishment of the Financial Services
Commission,
Noting also the need for continued cooperation between the administering
Power and the territorial Government in countering drug trafficking and moneylaundering, and further noting that the Territory hosted a meeting of the British
Overseas Territories’ Drug Prevention Conference in January 2002,
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