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of 24 resolutions have maintained that only those
arguments for the right to make such a decision,
but we have never accepted this.
25. Since the Associated States achieved full
self-government in 1767
we have taken
the position that they no longer fall under Chapter
XI of the Charter and that therefore the General
Assembly and Committee of 24 no longer had the
right to treat them as non-self-governing
territories.
We have stopped transmitting informa-
tion on the Associated States under Article 73E
and have declined to participate in debates (other
than to explain the constitutional position or
to be present during voting on any resolutions.
In taking this stand, we have acted in accordance
not only with our view of the merits of the situation, but also with the suddenly held wishes of
the governments of these territories. The
achievement of self-government is not yet accepted
by the Committee of 24, although most members realise
the illogicality of their position and no longer
treat the matter as a contentious issue. The
Chairman of the Committee claims in private that
he wishes to remove the Associated States from
its scope, but that a visiting mission would be
a necessary first step. The governments of the
Associated States have so far refused to accept
such a mission on the grounds that it would
derogate from their self-governing status.
26.
Mr Richard recommends that we should try to
persuade the Chairman to hold only a brief debate
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