A. Well, first of all the resolution we put down is a tough, new resolution.

"We've been very clear on having a tough resolution, and we are not backing down," one official said.

It wasn't a very tough resolution, Brooks thought, but under the circumstances it would serve the purpose.

Stating that goal openly, they said, would undermine their chances of getting a tough resolution.

"I think, by the way, that is part of why you ended up with us sending down a tougher continuing resolution," he added.

Meanwhile, Washington is calling for a tough new resolution with deadlines and enforcement provisions.

Plenty of tough resolutions and binding committments where the UN is concerned.

Some proliferation experts welcomed the tough American resolution.

Instead, the parliament voted by acclamation to draft a tougher resolution on which they will vote on Saturday.

It was not clear whether the tougher resolution would still seek to avoid outright rejection of the peace plan.