Last Colonies

In 2002 East Timor won full independence from Indonesia.Since then no territory anywhere has achieved self-government.Nearly 50 years after the UN said colonnialism must end,that organization lists 16 places,and 1.2 million people,still under foreign rule.Two colonial powers,the U.S. and the U.K.,refuse to cooperate with the U.N. France will let New Caledonia vote next decade on its future.And New Zealand urged Tokelau to choose equal partnership,but a 2007 referendum failed-by 16 votes.