A/RES/63/108 A–B
III
Bermuda
Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Bermuda 10
and other relevant information,
Conscious of the different viewpoints of the political parties on the future
status of the Territory, and noting a recent survey by local media on the matter,
Recalling the dispatch of the United Nations special mission to Bermuda in
2005 at the request of the territorial Government and with the concurrence of the
administering Power, which provided information to the people of the Territory on
the role of the United Nations in the process of self-determination, on the legitimate
political status options as clearly defined in General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV)
and on the experiences of other small States that have achieved a full measure of
self-government,
Stresses the importance of the 2005 report of the Bermuda Independence
1.
Commission, which provides a thorough examination of the facts surrounding
independence, and regrets that the plans for public meetings and the presentation of
a Green Paper to the House of Assembly followed by a White Paper outlining the
policy proposals for an independent Bermuda have so far not materialized;
Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its
2.
work concerning public educational outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of
the Charter of the United Nations and, in that regard, calls upon the relevant United
Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;
IV
British Virgin Islands
Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the British
Virgin Islands 11 and other relevant information,
Recalling the 1993 report of the Constitutional Commissioners, the 1996
debate on the report in the Legislative Council of the Territory, the establishment of
the Constitutional Review Commission in 2004, the completion in 2005 of its report
providing recommendations on internal constitutional modernization and the debate
held in 2005 on the report in the Legislative Council, as well as the negotiations
between the administering Power and the territorial Government, which resulted in
the adoption of the new Constitution of the Territory in 2007,
Noting that the 2007 Constitution of the British Virgin Islands provides for a
Governor, who maintains reserved powers in the Territory, to be appointed by the
administering Power,
Noting also the statement made by an expert from the Territory at the 2008
Pacific regional seminar, who presented an analysis of the recently concluded
constitutional review process,
Noting further that the Territory continues to emerge as a leading offshore
financial centre, with unprecedented growth in its financial and tourism services
sectors,
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10
11
8
A/AC.109/2008/10 and Corr.1.
A/AC.109/2008/2.