Senator urges softer UN line

A leading Democrat, Senator, Paul Simon of Illinois, condemned Bill Clinton's efforts to unseat Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the UN Secretary- General, as "wrong" and "embarrassing".

Mr Simon, who is retiring from the Senate, urged the White House to reconsider its position in the wake of the presidential election and proposed giving Mr Boutros- Ghali a three-year extension instead of another five-year term. US officials have insisted that opposition to his reappointment remains firm.

David Usborne - New York