After a long and acrimonious debate, the developing countries joined to block similar resolutions condemning China and Iraq.

"Believe me, we would like to respond by condemning China," a senior official said.

Senator Simon urged Congress to consider a resolution condemning China.

Procedural motions blocked votes on resolutions condemning China and Zimbabwe for rights abuses.

When Tibetans rose in protest against Chinese repression last fall, Congress condemned China for human rights failures.

Human rights groups have condemned China.

Its only concrete outcome so far has been to prevent a resolution condemning China in Geneva.

In the mean time, we should indeed be looking at the Tibet issue and condemning China for its outrageous behaviour and suppression of rights.

The nonbinding measure urges President Clinton to reverse that decision and make a determined effort to pass a resolution condemning China.

Administration officials insisted today that their decision to go ahead with the resolution condemning China was driven chiefly by China's crackdown on dissidents.