We are a sovereign State and have been since 1970. We are entitled to the rights of a sovereign State, which includes participating in all international organizations and maintaining normal diplomatic relations with all other sovereign States.

Article I of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States defines a State as possessing a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other States. We meet all these criteria. We have a sovereign government exercising effective jurisdiction over well-defined territories with permanent residents, and we have officially appointed representatives in more than 30 States. Article 3 of the same Montevideo Convention specifically says that "the political existence of the State is independent of recognition by other States."

We are a sovereign State and as such we are entitled to normal international standing and participation according to international law.