Report: US Won't Attend UN Racism Conference

[babylonsister]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/02/us_will_not_attend_un_conference_on_racism.php

US official: US won't join racism conference

US official: US won't take part in UN racism conference unless its final document is changed

EDITH M. LEDERER
AP News

Feb 27, 2009 15:12 EST


A senior U.S. official says the United States will not participate in a U.N. conference on racism in April unless the final document the conference issues is changed to drop references to Israel and the defamation of religion.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not yet been made, said Friday that two representatives of President Barack Obama's administration attended negotiations on the final text of the document in Geneva last week.

The official said that on the basis of their assessment the U.S. has decided not to participate in negotiations or the conference unless references to specific countries and the defamation of religion are dropped, and the wording about reparations for slavery changed.

[Lost in CT]

1. Good for Obama...

I have to admit he may get some flak for this but nice job sticking with his guns.

[geek tragedy]

2. The NGO conference should be as 'entertaining' as it was last time.

And by 'entertaining' I mean 'horrifying.'

You would think it would be easy to hold a conference on racism without singling out one country's practices. But, no.

[Chulanowa]

3. So we'll talk about Racism...

So long as a nation founded on the concept isn't discussed, and the one of the reasons for so much racism in the world ("god made us, the devil made you") is treated with kid gloves.

:eyes: