Zionism off limits to Durban conference, says UN official

A UN official has said that it would not be accepted for the anti-racism conference planned in South Africa to adopt a draft resolution branding Zionism as racist.

Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sunday said that she had got assurances that the conference on racism, to open in the South African town of Durban on August 31, would not debate any motion equating Zionism with racism.

However, she insisted that the Middle East conflict be put on the agenda of the gathering, citing concern over the sufferings of the Palestinians and what she termed as the feelings of insecurity on part of Israelis.

Though the Durban Conference could not resolve the Middle East conflict, it could not ignore it, said Robinson, who added that the regional situation had reached an unprecedented worrisome degree.

On the contentious issue of slavery, Robinson, an ex-Irish President, said that no reparations would be sought through the Durban forum and instead suggestions such as setting up an aid fund and development programs would be raised.