UNITED NATIONS Distr. GENERAL @ I , :’ ‘)\# A/45/255 ‘. ! ‘I .’ 26 April 1990 ,’ ORIGINALr ENGLISH Forty-fifth session Item 18 of the preliminary list* IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING OF INDEPENDENCE TO COLONIAL COUNTRIES MD PEOPLES Fetter dew 19 A&&1990 from the Charge' d I affeires a.i. of the permanent Mission of Solomon Islands to the United Natiom addressed to the Secretarv-General On behalf of the Melanesian Spearhead 01oup countries that are also members of the United Nations - Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu - I have the honour to request that the present letter and its annex, the Fin.1 Communiqui of the Fifth Heads of Government Summit of the Melanesian Spearhead Group held at Honiara from 7 to 9 March 1990, be circulated as an official document of the General Assembly under item 18 of the preliminary list. (Signed) R. SISILO Chargi d’affaires a. i. * A/45/50. go-10995 1520f (E) / . A/45/255 English Page 2 ANNEX Joint communicru.6 of the Fifth Heads of Government Summit pf the Melanesian Bearhead G~OUD held at Honiara from 7 to 9 March 1990 The Fifth Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Heads of Government meeting was held at Honiara from 7 to 9 March 1990. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Hon. Akoka Doi, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. The Hon. Solomon Sunaone Mamaloni who chaired the meeting, and the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Hon. Fr. Walter Lini. A delegation of the Front de Liberation National Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) also attended the summit. New Caledonia The Heads of Government were briefed by the leader of the FLNKS delegation on the latest developments in New Caledonia. The summit noted the progress made by France to date in preparing New Caledonia for self-determination but the Melanesian Spearhead Group is concerned that these measures do not fully address the major objective of preparing the territory for independence in accordance with United Nations principles and practices. In reviewing other aspects of developments in relation to New Caledonia, MSG reaffirmed its earlier call for: (a) Training assistance to be extended to Kanaks; (b) Provision of financial assistance to attend regional and international meetings; and (c) The United Nations to send regular visiting missions to New Caledonia. The Heads of Government also agreed to accord full membership of FLNKS in the MSG and further to seek observer status for FLNKS in the South Pacific Forum. Aid co-ordination MSG noted the initiatives of international and regional organizations to assess fully the implication of events occurring in Eastern Europe, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the move towards a single Europe in 1992, as this may relate to flow of assistance to the South Pacific region. Fl;nctional co-oneration The Heads of Government agreed that the sitting Chairman be responsible for the task of following up resolutions to strengthen implementation of decisions of the MSG. / . A/45/255 English Page 3 Trade The leaders reaffirmed the need to promote trade, including granting of favourable tariff arrangements. It was agreed that the study on trade prospects among the MSG countries be u.ldertaken. Air services The Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to the existing air services arrangements among them and agreed that their national airlines further take steps to ensure improvement of facilities and services. Consular matters The Heads of Government reaffirmed their intention to encourage free movement of citizens of the MSG countries, including the need to relax immigration, quarantine and customs requirements. The leaders noted that Papua New Guinea has appointed Honorary Consuls in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Education The Heads of Government agreed on the need to promote student exchange programmes and co-ooperation between educational institutions in MSG countries. It was noted that there is potential to co-operate in the area of developing and introducing appropriate vernacular teaching in primary schools. Bousainville issue The summit acknowledged the comprehensive briefing by the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea on the current situation on Bougainville. They acknowledged the situation on Bougainville as an internal matter for Papua New Guinea and appreciated the manner in which the problem is being addressed. The summit further noted the cease-fire and the international monitoring arrangements to be introduced to address the situation on Bougainville. Other business The Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea conveyed the appreciation of his Government to the Government of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for their support in the election of a Papua New Guinea national for the post of Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth. The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands informed the summit that his Government would offer two scholarships to Kanaks in 1991 at the Solomon Islands Collega of Higher Education. / . A/45/255 English Page 4 The Heads of Government accepted with thanks the offer by the Government of Vanuatu to host the nt!xt summit in 1991. -w---.