Office of the Historian

114. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1

Washington, December 3, 1959—3:47 p.m.

Gadel 166. Department offers following comments re Delga 585:2

While Department recognizes practical advantages solution proposed by Protitch and agrees that it would not in effect cause change in orientation TC up to July 1 Department concerned violation Charter and precedent established by recognition unbalanced Council after that date in violation Article 86 c3 which Department holds essential. Therefore believe Delegation should press for limitation terms newly elected members to date on which Italy leaves Council. This would obviate special GA session in May and could be done without establishing undesirable precedent as U.S. could continue consider France administering authority until July 1.

Suggest Delegation discuss legal aspects with Meeker and ascertain views other AAs on Protitch proposal and their reactions to Department comments above.4

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 350/12–159. Confidential. Drafted by Acly on December 2; cleared in substance with Hartley and L/UNA; and approved by Gerig who signed for Herter.↩
  2. Delga 585, December 1, reported on a discussion with Protitch, U.N. Under Secretary-General for Trusteeship and Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories, who suggested ensuring that the Trusteeship Council’s summer session end by July 1, 1960; holding elections for 3-year terms on the Council; and allowing the imbalance in the Council’s composition to exist until the 15th General Assembly examined the issue. (Ibid.)↩
  3. See footnote 4, Document 70.↩
  4. USUN reported on conversations with Meeker and other administering authorities in Delga 625, December 4. (Department of State, Central Files, 350/12–459)↩