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New York UN

EXPLANATION OF VOTE BY COLONEL LIM TONG HAI, MILITARY ADVISOR AND COUNSELLOR ON THE ITEM 62 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING OF INDEPENDENCE TO COLONIAL COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES - "QUESTION OF GUAM", FOURTH COMMITTEE, 8 NOVEMBER 2017

8 November 2017

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Mr Chair,

I have the honour to speak in Explanation of Vote after the adoption of the resolution on the “Question of Guam”.


2        Singapore supports the rights of the people of Non-self-governing territories (NSGTs), including Guam, to fully exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.  Singapore has consistently gone along with the consensus of the “Question on Guam”, as well as supported all other related resolutions pertaining to the rights of the peoples of NSGTs. 


3        It is unfortunate that we could not adopt this resolution by consensus, as we have done in the last twenty years. We regret that some new elements in the draft prevented consensus this year. My delegation hopes that all parties will work together to achieve a consensus outcome next year. 

Mr Chair


4        It is important to acknowledge the reality that the territory of Guam is situated in a complex geopolitical and strategic environment in the Asia-Pacific region.  In recent months, we have seen several provocative and destabilising actions by one country, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.  In such a regional context, existing defence arrangements, including those based in Guam, contribute greatly to the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.


5        Let me conclude by saying that we support the C-24 special committee’s ongoing work to engage the administrating Power to reach a mutually beneficial and consensual outcome in the future that takes into account the complex strategic reality of the region. 


6        Thank you, Mr Chair.


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