A/RES/53/67 Page 13 Noting also that 27.5 per cent of the electorate participated in the referendum on the political status of the Territory held on 11 October 1993, that 80.4 per cent of those who voted supported the existing territorial status arrangements with the United States of America and that the referendum left the status issue undecided, Noting further 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 the necessity of further diversifying the economy of the Territory, Welcoming the conclusion of the discussion between the Government of the Territory and the administering Power on the question of Water Island, Noting the efforts of the Government of the Territory 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 and the Caribbean Community; 4. Welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations between the administering Power and the territorial Government on the question of Water Island. 78th plenary meeting 3 December 1998