From Our Own Correspondent
New York. Aug 9
Mr William Rogers, the United States Secretary of State, said today that the Pakistan crisis was a test for the United Nations. He was talking after a two and a half hour meeting, the first of two planned for today, with U Thant, the United Nations Secretary-General.

Whether the United Nations could help organize effective relief would have implications for the future of the world body. Mr Rogers said.

Describing the situation as “very serious”, Mr Rogers said that the United States would do all it could to help. He said he had not discussed the political side of the crisis with U Thant, which the Secretary-General has described as a threat to world peace.

At their second meeting Mr Rogers presented U Thant with a cheque for $1m (£416,000) to help finance the stationing of United Nation's staff in the affected areas.