Charter of the United Nations, contained in General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970. His Government believed that the criterion of free choice had been amply satisfied by the future status arrangements that had been agreed to by the United States and the respective Governments of the Micronesian peoples. 14. Various petitioners had called into auestion the validity of the plebiscites on the compacts of free association. The representative recalled that those documents had resulted from lengthy and detailed negotiations in which the peoples of Micronesia had been represented by elected and appointed leaders of their own choosing. All of the plebiscites on the compacts in 1983 had been observed by United Nations missions that had been dispatched specifically for that purpose and had included representatives of various Pacific island States. The missions to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands had both concluded that the compacts had been approved by the voters of the two entities in plebiscites run by their respective Governments so as to ensure the free and fair expression of the wishes of the people. I/ Similarly, the mission to the Northern Mariana Islands had stated that, in a well-orqanized and well-attended poll, the people had voted by a majority of almost 80 per cent to become a commonwealth of the United States. z/ It thus appeared clear that the compacts for the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands fully embodied the criteria of legitimate self-government and met the test of approval by popular absolute majorities, as did also the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana ISlandS in Political Union with the United States of America. z/ 15. The United States representative said that some petitioners appeared to believe that self-determination could only be exercised in favour of independence. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the concept of self-determination and the status arrangements of the Micronesian peoples. It mentions plebiscites, compacts, and the approval of popular majorities, indicating a focus on international relations and governance. The text does not mention specific economic, environmental, or technological issues.

**Category**
International relations, Education