A/RES/54/90
Page 14
XI. United States Virgin Islands
Taking note with interest of the statements made and the information provided by the representative
of the Governor of the Territory to the Caribbean regional seminar, held at Castries, Saint Lucia, from
25 to 27 May 1999,
Noting that although 80.4 per cent of the 27.5 per cent of the electorate that voted in the referendum
on the political status of the Territory held on 11 October 1993 supported the existing territorial status
arrangements with the administering Power, the law required the participation of 50 per cent of the
registered voters for the results to be declared legally binding and therefore the status was left undecided,
Noting also the continuing interest of the territorial Government in seeking associate membership in
the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and observer status in the Caribbean Community and the
Association of Caribbean States,
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,
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 1 billion dollars;
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