UNITED NATIONS, Dec 22 (AFP) - US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke on Friday severely criticized the organization for failing to do enough to prevent the spread of AIDS among peacekeepers.

"We find the DPKO's (Department of Peace-Keeping Operations) implementation of this resolution inadequate and insufficient given the gravity of the problem," Holbrooke told reporters.

The Security Council in July adopted its first resolution on a health question, recommending preventive measures be made against the disease among UN troops.

As well as being considered at high risk for catching the virus, soldiers are also viewed as one of its main propagators.

"We cannot have a situation where AIDS is spread by peacekeepers," Holbrooke added.

He said the UN's DPKO had brochures available to give to newly-enrolled peacekeepers but said, "They are not doing enough." He cited the case of East Timor where UN peacekeepers arrived in late 1999.

"East Timor never had a reported case of AIDS until the UN got there. I'm not saying there weren't any cases, but we now have 20 reported cases," Holbrooke said.

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