The preparatory committee for the World Conference Against Racism continued negotiations late Friday in Geneva. But US officials hinted that a decision on whether the US will join the conference beginning in Durban, South Africa, on August 30 would not be made until next week.

The Bush administration has said the United States won't take part in the conference unless discussion of reparations for slavery and anti-Israel language are dropped from the agenda.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said she was convinced "that we can achieve a successful outcome at Durban and that we must persist in our endeavors." Robinson called for all parties to cooperate in reaching an agreement.

Israeli and Arab delegates are at odds over the wording of the final declaration of the preparatory committee. Arab states are calling for a discussion of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. Israel does not believe the issue belongs in a conference on racism.

US representative Tom Lantos, a member of the US delegation, said that it would be inappropriate for the US to attend the conference if criticism against Israel remains.

Delegates were reportedly closer to reaching an agreement on the issue of reparations for slavery and colonialism. At question is whether the Durban text should include an apology from former colonial powers.

The Durban conference will be the third UN conference on racism. The other two were held in Geneva in 1978 and 1983. The United States boycotted both.