ODA Files, Lot 60 D 512
Discussion Brief for Bilateral Talks on Colonial Policy To Be Held at London and Paris (Agenda Item IV (b) 3)
Item IV, (b), 3: The Relationship Between the Trusteeship Council and the General Assembly
I. Problem: To determine U.S. position on relationship between General Assembly and Trusteeship Council. Non-administering Members cite Articles 85, 87 in contending Council executive body of Assembly; administering Members maintain Council principal organ with powers of deliberation, conclusion; cite balanced nature, majority rule of Council.
II. Recommended United States Position:
A. U.S. should maintain its position on general question of relationship TC to GA; i.e.:
- 1.
- Assembly should not attempt detailed resolutions on Council’s work; direct recommendations from Assembly to Administering Authority should not be encouraged; such action more appropriate for TC.
- 2.
- Authority of Assembly (per Articles 85, 87) should not be exercised in a manner which would deny Council independent, deliberative qualities.
- 3.
- If the question arises, US should state that it considers
inadvisable at this time attempt by Assembly or ICJ to define relation of
Council to Assembly, since
- a.
- Restrictive definition of Council’s powers disadvantageous;
- b.
- Broad definition might encourage direct recommendations by Assembly to Administering Authorities.
- 4.
- It is desirable Administering Authorities avoid provoking non-administering Members to carry issues from Council to Assembly and should seek to dissuade latter from doing so unless we think such procedure justifiable.
B. In its consultations with non-administering Members, U.S. has outlined its concept of the relationship between the TC and the GA.