U.S. Envoy at U.N. on French Polynesia, Self-Determination

U.S. Envoy at U.N. on French Polynesia, Self-Determination

18 May 2013

U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, NY
May 17, 2013

Statement by Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs,
at a General Assembly Plenary Meeting On the Implementation of
the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

The United States strongly affirms the principle of self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter as one of the fundamental values of this organization.

The facts in this case are clear. The people of French Polynesia, through their democratically elected representatives, have made clear that they do not support this resolution. The newly-elected government, which takes office today, has notified the General Assembly that this resolution “ignores our autonomy and the will of our people.” We are surprised that the co-sponsors have continued with General Assembly action on this resolution given the will of the people it purportedly benefits.

For these reasons, the United States disassociates itself from consensus on this resolution.

ENDS

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