TINY TOKELAU SAYS IT DOESN’T WANT INDEPENDENCE

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

TINY TOKELAU SAYS IT DOESN’T WANT INDEPENDENCE

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, May 21) - The leader of tiny Tokelau, a Pacific territory of New Zealand, says the islanders are being pressured into becoming independent.

Head of Government Patuki Isa'ako has questioned plans by the United Nations and New Zealand to require a vote on the question of self-determination.

Isa'ako says the push toward self-determination is not being driven by Tokelauans.

Tokelau, north of Samoa, has a population of less than 1,500 polynesians on three atolls with a total land area of about 10 square kilometers.

The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization and Wellington have been pushing Tokelau to hold a vote on whether to remain part of New Zealand, or to become self-governing or independent.

Tokelauans have been reluctant to support any change in status.

May 21, 2004

Radio Australia: www.abc.net.au/ra

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