The New Nation - Internet Edition

CNN, United Nations

The United Nations said Friday it was "disappointed" that Myanmar's government had expelled a top U.N. diplomat, and the Bush administration condemned the action by the ruling military junta in the secretive Asian country.

Ibrahim Gambari, U.N. special envoy to Myanmar, is due to return as another U.N. diplomat faces expulsion. "The secretary-general is disappointed by the message from the government of Myanmar that it would not want the resident coordinator, Mr. Charles Petrie, to continue to serve," said a statement issued on behalf of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe called the expulsion of Petrie, the U.N.'s human rights representative, "outrageous" and noted it came the day before Ibrahim Gambari, the special U.N. envoy to Myanmar, is scheduled to return to the country. It is "an insult to the United Nations and the international community," Johndroe said.

The U.S. charge d'affaires in Myanmar , Shari Villarosa, told CNN earlier Friday that Petrie was told he was no longer welcome in the country.

"They say that they are interested in cooperating with the U.N.," Villarosa said, "so this seems very unusual to say the least." It was unclear whether Petrie was given a deadline to leave the country.

In the statement, a spokesman for Ban said he "has full confidence in the United Nations country team." Ban has instructed Ibrahim Gambari "to convey his views directly to the authorities" in Myanmar upon his arrival, the statement said.