Frank Tipton, age 16, of White Plains, N.Y., for his question:

WHAT IS THE U.N.'S TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL?

The Trusteeship Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It is responsible for the supervision of territories that are under the international trusteeship system. The council is charged with helping these areas achieve independence or self government.

The council has been so successful that 10 of the original 11 territories have become independent or have merged with neighboring states. The only remaining area is the Trust Territory of the Pacific islands, which is administered by the United States.

This Pacific territory has been designated a "strategic area" and the councils supervisory role is exercised under Security Council authority.

Most of the former territories have joined the U.N. as member nations. When the last trust territory becomes self governing, the Trusteeship Council will presumably cease to exist. This change is already reflected in its diminishing membership. Currently, the council consists of the U.S. as the single administering power plus the Soviet Union, Great Britain, France and China as nonadministering permanent members of the Security Council. The Trusteeship Council meets once a year to consider reports, hear petitions and deal with problems.