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The
prospects of the United States joining
the upcoming United Nations conference
on racism remained bleak on August
10, despite talk of a breakthrough
from the UN's top human rights official.
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.
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