A/RES/55/144 Noting further the necessity of further diversifying the economy of the Territory, Noting the efforts of the territorial Government to promote the Territory as an offshore financial services centre, Noting with satisfaction the interest of the Territory in joining the United Nations International Drug Control Programme as a full participant, Recalling the dispatch in 1977 of a United Nations visiting mission to the Territory, Noting that the Territory commemorated its annual British Virgin IslandsUnited States Virgin Islands Friendship Day on 27 May 2000 in official ceremonies in 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. Also requests the administering Power to continue to assist the territorial Government in achieving its political, economic and social goals; 3. Further requests the administering Power to facilitate the participation of the Territory, as appropriate, in various organizations, in particular the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Community and the Association of Caribbean States; 4. Expresses concern that the Territory, which is already heavily indebted, had to borrow 21 million United States dollars from a commercial bank to carry out its year 2000 computer compliance programme, and calls for the United Nations year 2000 programme to be made available to the Non-Self-Governing Territories; 5. Notes that the general elections held in the Territory in November 1998 resulted in the orderly transfer of power; 6. Expresses concern that the territorial Government is facing severe fiscal problems, which has resulted in an accumulated debt of more than one billion dollars; 7. Welcomes the measures being taken by the newly elected territorial Government in addressing the crisis, including the adoption of a five-year operating and strategic financial plan, and calls upon the administering Power to provide every assistance required by the Territory to alleviate the fiscal crisis, including, inter alia, the provision of debt relief and loans; 8. Notes that the 1994 report of the United States Virgin Islands Commission on Status and Federal Relations concluded that, owing to the insufficient level of voter participation, the results of the 1993 referendum were declared legally null and void. 83rd plenary meeting 8 December 2000 15