their ability to stand on their own after the initial 15-year funding period would be determined largely by their success in attracting overseas investment and establishing commercial enterprises capable of generating export earnings vital to sustained economic growth. 141. The United Kingdom representative urged the Governments of the United States and Japan to devise a suitable mechanism to allow the $24.3 million in unpaid war damage claims to be released to those entitled to it. 142. The United Kingdom delegation was encouraged by the assurance in the latest report of the Administering Authority that it had no plans to dump nuclear waste anywhere near the islands of the Trust Territory. It hoped that the Administering Authority would also deal severely with any country which gave evidence of having such plans. The United Kingdom was also pleased to hear of the amicable out-of-court settlement in respect of the Bikini Islands lawsuit. 143. The United Kingdom representative said that it might have been better if the peoples of Micronesia had sought their future as one unified territory rather than separately. Political and economic problems faced even the largest countries, and for States as small as the Micronesian entities, such problems were obviously more pronounced. However, his delegation did not wish to question the wisdom of the POlitiCal choices the Micronesians had made. No one could fail to be impressed by the confidence they displayed in their future and by their obvious political sense. One of the primary concerns of the Trusteeship Council was to ensure that -2o- %.. ^" 1‘ the wishes of the islanders, not those of the Administering Authority., prevailed in decisions about the Territory's future development. In his delegation's view, there was little doubt that they had. 144. The representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics noted that since 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the future development of Micronesia, specifically the islands' ability to stand on their own after the initial funding period. It also mentions nuclear waste, war damage claims, and the Administering Authority's plans for the territory. These topics suggest that the text is focused on the economic and political aspects of the islands' development.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade