36. A representative of the Free Montserrat United Movement stated that ther administering Power

Had used its power,  influence and finances to keep Montserrat in a state of colonial dependency.

He added that the administering power had used the volcanic activity on Montserrat to further its own agenda for holding on to Montserrat and to thwart the hopes and aspirations of the people to see some progressive move forward out of their colonial state. Montserrat had requested that the Associated Statehood be revisited. He pointed out that this development was a clear indication that the people of Montserrat were not in favour of maintaining the status quo and that they wanted to see some indication of a process that would eventually lead to their own national identity and nationhood. For its part, the administering power contended that Montserrat had only two options-:

To remain tied to it in a perpetual state of dependency and control or to achieve independence.

That was the stated position that the administering power had maintained for many years. The administering power appeared to have no problems spending money to keep Montserrat dependent.

However the administering power has yet to suggest a modality by which it would assist the territory to move out of its colonial state, and eventually achieve independence.

Report of the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to ..., Issue 23

 By United Nations: Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples
Excerpt of presentation given by Chedmond Browne to the United Nations Committee on Decolonization.