Trusteeship Council recommends early approval of Compact for Palau.

The Trusteeship Council has recommended that the process of approval of the compact of Free Association for Palau-one of the four administrative entities which make up the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands or Micronesia-be completed at the earliest possible date.

The Council acted at the end of three weeks of deliberations which began on 10 May, approving its conclusions and recommendations on the Trust Territory, to be incorporated into its report to the Security Council. The session, suspended on 27 May, is expected to resume later in the year to complete its report.

In those conclusions and recommendations, the Council noted that the people of Micronesia, in exercise of thcir right to self- government, as set out in the UN Charter, had elected to assume full responsibility for administration in the economic, social and educational fields.

Any difficulties over the interpretation of the new status agreements, it stated, should be resolved bilaterally by the parties concerned in accordance with procedures mutually agreed and laid down in those agreements. The Council also noted with satisfaction the assurances given by the Administering Authority that it would continue to fulfil its responsibilities under the Charter and the Trusteeship Agreement.

The vote was 3 in favour (France, United Kingdom, United States) to 1 against (Soviet Union). China, the fifth member of the Council, does not take part in its deliberations.

The USSR said the text reflected neither the discussions of the Council nor the "anti-Charter activities" of the Administering Authority. Rather it had been designed to 'Justify the annexationist aspirations" of the United States. Any change in the status of the Trust Territory could be approved only by the Security Council, in accordance with Article 83 of the Charter 'Not a

military base'

The United States said it respected Council decisions in carrying out its responsibilities under the Trusteeship Agreement and the Charter and Council resolution 2183 (Llll) of 28 May 1986. It had not turned the Trust Territory into a military base and had no intention of doing so.

The United Kingdom and France, which had drafted the recommendations, said the recommendations fully reflected the level of self-government the people of Micronesia had elected to

assume.

In resolution 2183 (Llll), the Council considered it "appropriate" for the Trusteeship Agreement to be terminated on entry into force of the Compacts of Free Association...