214. Re Puerto Rico. Draft Res L.300 on Puerto Rico satisfactory.
USDel could vote for all
paras.
[Attachment]
Draft Resolution on the Cessation of the
Transmission of Information in Respect to Puerto
Rico2
The General Assembly,
Considering that Resolution 222(III),
adopted by the General Assembly on 3 November 1948, while
welcoming any development of self-government in
non-self-governing territories, considers that it is essential
that the United Nations be informed of any change in the
constitutional status of any such territory as a result of which
the government responsible for the transmission of information
in respect of that territory under Article 73(e) of the Charter thinks it unnecessary or
inappropriate to continue such a practice,
Having received the communications dated
19 January and 20 March 1953 informing the United Nations of the
establishment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as a result of
the entry into force on 25 July 1952 of the constitution of
Puerto Rico, and stating that in consequence of these
constitutional changes the Government of the United States would
cease to transmit information under Article 73(e) of the Charter,
Having studied the report prepared by the
Committee on Information from non-self-governing territories,
during its session of 1953, on the question of the cessation of
the transmission of information on Puerto Rico and presented to
the General Assembly in conformity with paragraph 2 of
Resolution 448 (V),
Having examined the communication of the
Government of the United States in the light of the basic
principles embodied in Chapter XI of the Charter and of all the
other elements of judgement pertinent to the issue.
[Page 1455]
Considering that the agreement reached by
the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
in forming a political association which respects the
individuality and the cultural characteristics of Puerto Rico,
maintains the spiritual bond between Puerto Rico and Latin
America and constitutes an additional link in continental
solidarity,
- 1.
- Takes note favorably of the
conclusions set forth by the Committee on Information
from Non-Self-Governing Territories in its
resolution;
- 2.
- Recognizes that the people of
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, by expressing their
will in a free and democratic way have achieved a new
constitutional status;
- 3.
- Expresses the opinion that it
stems from the documentation provided that the
association of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with the
United States of America has been established as a
mutually agreed association;
- 4.
- Recognizes that when choosing
their constitutional and international status, the
people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have
effectively exercised their right to
self-determination;
- 5.
- Recognizes that in the
framework of their constitution and of the compact
agreed upon with the United States of America, the
people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have been
invested with attributes of political sovereignty which
clearly identify the status of self-government attained
by the Puerto Rican people as an autonomous political
entity;
- 6.
- Considers that due to these
circumstances, the Declaration Regarding
Non-Self-Governing Territories and the provisions
established under it in Chapter XI of the Charter can no
longer be applied to the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico;
- 7.
- Takes note of the opinion of
the Government of the United States of America as to the
cessation of the transmission of information on Puerto
Rico under Article 73(e) of the
Charter;
- 8.
- Considers it appropriate that
this information should cease;
- 9.
- Expresses its assurance that,
in accordance with the spirit of this resolution, the
ideals embodied in the Charter of the United Nations,
the traditions of the people of the United States of
America and the political advancement attained by the
people of Puerto Rico, due regard will be paid to the
will of both the Puerto Rican and American peoples in
the conduct of their relations under their present legal
statute and also in the eventuality that either of the
Parties to the mutually agreed association may desire
any change in the terms of this association.
