7 Apr 2011

UN Decolonisation seminar in Cayman Islands called off

1:28 pm on 7 April 2011

The Cayman Islands' premier has turned down an invitation to host the United Nation's Special Committee on Decolonisation annual seminar.

His office issued a statement after a release from the United Nations stating that the meeting would be held in Britian's Cayman Islands in the Caribbean next month.

Officials from the premier's office say McKeeva Bush has written to committee chairman, Francisco Carrion-Mena, stating that it will not be possible for his government to host the meeting.

Officials say the government had never agreed to have the meeting in the first place.

They say the UN had jumped the gun.

The last annual decolonisation seminar was held in New Caledonia, the only French Pacific territory on the UN decolonisation list.

The US, Britain and New Zealand also have territories on the list.