Annan Calls For Completion Of Decolonisation Process

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

20 February 2004

Speaking before the Special Committee of 24 on decolonization, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged administering powers to work closely with the committee in the coming year to complete the decolonization process of the listed Non-Self Governing nations, several of which are counted as 'offshore' low tax jurisdictions.

"In the twenty-first century, colonialism is an anachronism,” stated Annan. “I therefore hope that, in the year ahead, all administering Powers will work with the Special Committee, and with the people in the territories under their administration, to find ways to further the decolonisation process.”

The Committee was first formed in 1961 and now consists of 24 members. It meets annually to discuss the developments in Non-Self-Governing Territories, hears statements from appointed and elected representatives of the Territories and petitioners, dispatches visiting missions to the Territories, and organizes seminars on the political, social, economic and educational situations in the Territories.

Last year, the annual decolonisation seminar was held in the Caribbean jurisdiction of Anguilla, an overseas dependent territory of the United Kingdom and one of the nations on the committee’s list.

Included among the remaining Non Self-Governing territories are Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

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