978-1-4222-3430-3

Results of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism As the 1990s drew to a close, it became clear the United Nation’s goal of ending colonialism by the end of the millennium would not be achieved. Five territories had achieved self-determination, but this still left seventeen on the Non-Self-Governing Territories list. The Special Committee felt they had made a great deal of progress in helping the territories and their administrating nations take the necessary steps toward self-government, but obviously much more work still needed to be done. One of the difficulties the Special Committee had encountered was getting the full cooperation of the administering nations. Some administrating nations insisted certain territories were happy remaining as colonies. This was true to some extent, since the tiny island territories appear to have greater economic advantages by staying as they are rather than choosing independence. As territories governed by wealthy administering nations, they have access to greater resources than they would if they were to try to survive on their own. This is especially true in the Caribbean. Many residents of these islands are comfortable with their lives and see no reason to change. One such example is the U.S. Virgin Islands, where several referendums have been held to determine the wishes of the people for the future of their territory. All of these referendums have failed, since very few people turned out to vote.

The national flag of Timor Leste.

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United Nations