501.BE/9–649: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Belgium
1075. View urtel 1198, Sept 6 presume further clarification Deptel 1066, Sept 2, unnecessary.1 For your background info it shld be recalled that in GA 4th Comite administering powers are in minority 8 to 51. They find it difficult present their case amidst heated debates in which many small delegations not directly interested in colonial matters are swept away by emotional arguments against colonial admin in general. Therefore, almost impossible obtain adoption fair [Page 357] and balanced resolutions. In SCI where balanced membership of 8 administering and 8 non-administering members requires compromise before any resolution can win majority, administering members can obtain adoption of well considered resolutions based on understanding hearing their case by non-administering members (except Soviet Union). After this preliminary screening of colonial issues in SCI, non-administering members of GA 4th Comite (except the Slavic bloc) tend adopt SCI recommendations without resort unduly long debates.