Mr Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters that he planned to resubmit the non-binding text, which had earlier run into opposition from China, because 'there are disturbing signs that the process (in Myanmar) is not a credible process.'

'It is very important that given the upcoming referendum and elections, the council sends a strong message, a clear message that the process needs to be credible.' The military regime in Myanmar has said it will hold a referendum on May 10 to set the stage for multi-party elections in 2010.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) and other pro-democracy groups are calling for a 'No' vote, but they have little ability to campaign effectively because the ruling junta has outlawed speeches and leaflets about the referendum.

The referendum will be the first balloting in military-run Myanmar since 1990, when Aung San Suu Kyi led the NLD to a landslide victory that was never recognized by the junta. She remains under house arrest.

'The people of Burma deserves support from the council, from the international community,' Mr Khalilzad said.

Approval of the non-binding text requires unanimity from the 15-member council and US diplomats they would try hard to bring China on board.

China, one of the council's five veto-wielding permanent members, is a major supporter of the Myanmar junta, supplying weapons and purchasing the poor country's natural resources.

Mr Khalilzad said council experts would pore over the text on Thursday. -- AFP