TNAG-0831-FCO40-1039-Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Association-(CPA)-annual-conferen-1979 — Page 87

The Government of National Unity was charged with the task of prepar-

ing an independence constitution. Aided by a broadly-based constitutional

committee, they achieved this aim in September 1979. British and French

Ministers visited Vila from 17 to 19 September for a constitutional con-

ference during which the text of the Constitution was approved, and the

date of 14 November 1979 announced for fresh elections to the

Representative Assembly. The new Government formed as a result of these

elections will lead the country to independence in 1980.

5. It is for the New Hebrides Government to decide whether to apply, for

Commonwealth membership. But political leaders in the territory have

previously expressed an interest in doing so, and both the advantages of

Commonwealth membership and the procedures for application have been

explained to them in some detail.