UK close to Burma debate at UN

27 July 2006 (AP) - Britain is close to securing the votes needed to put the military junta in Myanmar under scrutiny at the UN Security Council, a first step toward condemning it, a government official said Tuesday.

Foreign Office Minister Ian McCartney also told members of parliament that he had personally pleaded with Myanmar's ambassador in London to help end the military junta's alleged use of child soldiers.

During questions in parliament's lower House of Commons, McCartney said he was "close" to securing the nine votes needed to put Myanmar on the agenda for the United Nations Security Council.

"We are working closely not only with the US but other partners on the council to ensure there's a full debate on Burma which we hope will lead to a resolution," McCartney said.

"Our first objective is to get Burma formally added to the UN Security Council agenda. "I can't tell the House I have got those nine votes yet but we are close to doing so.