US vows to press on with UN resolution

"We remain concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in Burma, which poses a threat to stability in the region," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said, using the former name for Myanmar.

"We believe the time has come for the Security Council to take action to express its deep concern about Burma," he said, referring to a US-drafted Security Council resolution demanding Myanmar's ruling military release political prisoners and end operations against restive ethnic minorities.

The United States introduced the resolution on December 13, but the measure faced opposition from China and was expected to make little immediate progress in the New Year when Russia takes over the presidency of the Security Council for January.

Casey said Washington "remains committed to pursuing this resolution as soon as possible in the New Year" -- setting up a possible confrontation with Moscow shortly after the two sides ended a hard-fought battle over another resolution imposing sanctions on Iran for its illicit nuclear programme.

"The situation in Burma remains bleak," Casey said, citing violence against ethnic minorities, forced labour, narcotics smuggling and the detention of more than 1,100 political prisoners by the Myanmar junta.

The US-sponsored resolution does not call for sanctions against Myanmar, but said the situation in the country "poses serious risks to peace and security in the region" -- language, which could foreshadow future punitive action.