Notes that Tokelau remains firmly committed to the development of self-government and to an act of self-determination that would result in Tokelau assuming a status in accordance with the options on future status for Non-Self-Governing Territories contained in principle VI of the annex to General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960;
2
Also notes Tokelaus desire to move at its own pace towards an act of self-determination;
3
Further notes the inauguration in 1999 of a national Government based on village elections by universal adult suffrage;
4
Commends Tokelaus ongoing work in charting a distinctive constitutional course, reflecting its unique traditions and environment;
5
Also commends Tokelau for current initiatives and endeavours, based on wide consultation with its people, to construct a true house of Tokelau, acknowledging the role of the village as the foundation of Tokelau, as well as the need to continue the process of strengthening the basis of national self-government and the aim of establishing the capacity for economic survival in a sustainable way;
6
Acknowledges the attention being given to broader matters of governance, including the upgrading of financial regulations, to establish clear local channels of responsibility in national and village government;
7
Notes that, responding to the desire of Tokelau, the Government of New Zealand has legislation in place to enable responsibility for the Tokelau Public Service to be passed from the State Services Commissioner in New Zealand to Tokelau, the timing to be set by mutual agreement when Tokelau has established a suitable local employment framework;
8
Acknowledges Tokelaus need for reassurance, given that local resources cannot adequately cover the material side of self-determination, and the ongoing responsibility of Tokelaus external partners to assist Tokelau in balancing its desire to be self-reliant to the greatest extent possible with its need for external assistance;
9
Welcomes the assurances of the Government of New Zealand that it will meet its obligations to the United Nations with respect to Tokelau and abide by the freely expressed wishes of the people of Tokelau with regard to their future status;
10
Welcomes also the statement on official development assistance cooperation between New Zealand and Tokelau, setting out the direction and broad structure of New Zealand official development assistance to Tokelau, to better meet new development and governance needs in the medium term;
11
Calls uponthe administering Power and United Nations agencies to continue their assistance to Tokelau, as it further develops its economy and governance structures within the context of its ongoing constitutional evolution;
12
Requeststhe Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to continue to examine this question and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session.
