118. Editorial Note
On December 12, in a meeting that lasted from 8:30 p.m. to 4:15 a.m., the 14th regular session of the U.N. General Assembly met to consider eight items, including election of two members to the Trusteeship Council. Tunisia presented a resolution proposing that the General Assembly elect two members to the Council; that on the dates France and Italy ceased to be administering authorities, the Trusteeship Council draw lots to designate which elected countries would cease to be members of it; and that the 15th General Assembly consider the question of Trusteeship Council membership. By a vote of 45 for, 28 against, and 8 abstentions, the resolution was rejected because it failed to gain a two-thirds majority. The United States supported it. For text of the draft resolution, see U.N. doc. A/L.275/Rev.l. For a record of the debate and vote on the draft resolution, see U.N. doc. A/PV.857.
The Soviet Union then offered a resolution proposing that, based on Article 86 of the U.N. Charter, the 14th General Assembly elect two members to the Trusteeship Council and that it resume on April 28, 1960, to decide the composition of the Council. This resolution also failed to gain a two-thirds majority by a vote of 29 for, 26 against, and 26 abstentions. The United States voted against it. For text of the draft resolution, see U.N. doc. A/L.274. For a record of the debate and the vote on the resolution, see U.N. doc. A/PV.857.
Next, the Soviet Union proposed a second resolution which also called for the 14th General Assembly to elect two members to the Trusteeship Council in accord with Article 86 of the U.N. Charter and, in accord with rule 7 of the General Assembly rules of procedure, to convene a special session on April 28, 1960, to decide the Trusteeship Council composition. For text, see U.N. doc. A/L.277. Voting on this [Page 211] draft resolution, however, was delayed when the United States proposed that the General Assembly consider the election of one nonpermanent member to the Security Council. (U.N. doc. A/PV.857)
Earlier that day, General Assembly President Belaunde had met with Ambassador Lodge, Delegation Counselor Barco, Soviet Representative Kuznetsov, Turkish Representative Esin, and Polish Representative Michalowski. The meeting’s participants agreed to split the Security Council term between Poland and Turkey. (Delga 696, December 13; Department of State, Central Files, 330/12–1359) Thus, that evening the General Assembly elected Poland to replace Japan on the Security Council with the understanding that Poland would resign from the seat effective December 31, 1960, and that Turkey would be elected to replace it. For a record of the debate and vote on this item, see U.N. doc. A/PV.857.
Following Poland’s election to the Security Council, discussion of the Trusteeship Council membership resumed. Soon thereafter, Bolivia proposed that the General Assembly elect the two members. The General Assembly then elected Bolivia and India to the two seats, and discussion of the second Soviet draft resolution began again. This resolution was rejected by a vote of 26 for, 32 against, and 20 abstentions. The United States opposed it. For a record of the debate and vote on the draft resolution, see U.N. doc. A/PV.857.
Closing statements were made, and the 14th regular session of the U.N. General Assembly ended. The record of these proceedings is ibid.