What the Forum gave

This is the Forum’s resolution: The governments comprising the South Pacific Forum welcomed the progress being made in the New Hebrides towards indepen dence, and expressed the hope that all major political groups in that Island territory would work closely together in preparing for their independence. Noting the desire of Pacific Island peoples, including those in French territories, to determine their own future, the Forum reaffirmed its belief in the principle of self-determination and independence applying to all Pacific Island peoples in accordance with their freely expressed wishes.

Accordingly, the Forum called on the metropolitan powers con cerned to work with the peoples of their Pacific territories to this end.