Decolonization

                                               Non-Self-Governing Territories Listed by         

General Assembly in 2002                     

According to the United Nations, there are currently 16 non-self-governing territories remaining which require decolonization, classified as such because the UN determined them to be controlled by a foreign power. The United Nations selects the territories without gaining input from the nationals and residents, so there is much discrepancy over the UN Decolonization Committee and their actions. Of the 16, the US controls three of the four most largely populated territories: Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands. 

The UN is fully prepared to grant American Samoa sovereignty, but requires compliance from the United States. The United States refuses to agree to the United Nations’ proposals citing the claim that American Samoa was never a colony but rather a protectorate because it was not obtained as a prize of war. And by signing the UN agreement, the US would be essentially admitting that American Samoa is in fact a colony of the US.

Decolonization is a subject which brings forth differing opinions among Samoans and politicians. Few, if any, American politicians would suggest that American Samoa is a colony of the US, and most American Samoans would agree with them. Many American Samoans believe the US has done just what it was asked in 1900, to protect the islands, steering clear of cultural and religious issues if at all possible. The US also provides considerable economic aid to the islands and both parties reap the benefits of their cooperation. Of course, there are also many Samoans who believe would agree that the islands are a colony of the US, or at least their culture and growth is somewhat stifled by the American presence.          

Essentially, American Samoa meets the United Nation’s requirements and attends the seminars and meetings of the UN Decolonization Committee, with no cooperation or representation from the US. Most available information seems to indicate that both American Samoa and the United States are pleased with their current arrangement, and it is the wish of the American Samoan government to be removed from the UN’s list. Regardless, even with a decided will of the people, which is obviously not clear, the process of decolonization would take many years and much cooperation between the US and American Samoa.