Acting No Longer

Burma's U Thant, Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations, last week finally got clear title to his job. The U.S.

and Russia agreed to recommend Thant's election as the regular Secretary-General.

The U.S. had been willing to back Thant months ago but the Russians, who were still on record as demanding a troika to run the world organization, dragged their feet. Finally, Soviet Delegate Valerian Zorin last week conceded that "in view of the realities of the situation" Moscow would not press for a troika--which was doomed to defeat anyway.

During Thant's year in office he has managed to keep both sides happy most of the time. He brought more Russians into the Secretariat, began conferring regularly with his Soviet Under Secretary, whom his predecessor, Dag Hammarskjold, had deliberately ignored. But when Russia failed to ante up for the Congo operation, Thant deplored the fact, to the satisfaction of the U.S.

Thant's term of office will run until Nov. 3, 1966, five years from the date he took over as the "acting" successor to Hammarskjold. Thant was inclined to a full five-year hitch beginning last month.

But the cautious Soviets would not go that far, insisted on the predated appointment to limit the term to four more years.

Thant will not lack for funds. In the works is the first budgetary overhaul for the office of Secretary-General since 1946.

Boosts in Thant's salary and expense allowance will raise his income by $10,000 to $70,500--all taxfree.

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