US working on new UN resolution

WASHINGTON (Reuter) - The United States and its allies are working on a UN resolution that would authorise military force to make sure that relief supplies flow through the former Yugoslavia, the Assistant Secretary of State, Thomas Niles, said yesterday.

The statement came as Democrats criticised President George Bush for failing to play an aggressive enough role, and called for tougher UN action against the Serbs. 'We are working with our allies on a resolution which would authorise necessary measures' to protect humanitarian convoys, Mr Niles said. 'The hope is that the adoption of the resolution would obviate the need for force.'

The UN Security Council last night demanded access for the Red Cross and other neutral bodies to prison camps, particularly in Bosnia-Herzegovina.