South vs. North

["Andrew Hagen" <xah@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The eyes of the world are on Durban, South Africa, where high level
delgations from around the world are attempting to fashion a new
aggreement at the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR). The
negotiations have been contentious. On Monday, the United States and
Israel pulled out of WCAR in response to proposed language that equates
Zionism with racism. Today, Wednesday, France's PM, Lionel Jospin has
hinted that the fifteen nations of the European Union could pull out of
WCAR unless the controversial language is changed.

The language in the draft declaration reads as follows from the WCAR
web site, linked below. "The World Conference recognizes with deep
concern the increase of racist practices of Zionism and anti-Semitism
in various parts of the world, as well as the emergence of racial and
violent movements based on racism and discriminatory ideas, in
particular the Zionist movement, which is based on racial superiority."
The document includes criticism of "Islamophobia," a term I had not
heard before.

Several alternatives to the draft language have been made, but they
have been all rejected outright by either Arab nations who want to
highlight Palestinian suffering, or Western nations who want to prevent
langauge that equates Zionism with racism.

As if this weren't enough, the issue of reparations represents an
enormous gulf between South and North. African nations are seeking
reparations payments from nations that over 100 years ago profited in
the slave trade of Africans. So far there has no reparations proposals
have been made by European countries or the United States.

Further stumbling blocks remain. A group of "Untouchables" from India
have lobbied for language, but India opposes any language that mentions
the Untouchables.

WCAR will end Friday. Coordinator Mary Robinson remains optimistic that
some kind of agreement can be hammered out. My view is to the contrary,
however. What we have here is a wide and deep gulf between South and
North, East and West.

(Links below.)

Andrew Hagen
xah@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


The World Conference Against Racism

http://www.un.org/WCAR/

The WCAR draft declaration (MS Word file. linked to from above web
site, or direct li
below)

http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/A.conf.189.4.En/$fi
le/0115581.doc?OpenElement

France Warns EU Could Quit U.N. Race Conference

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010905/ts/race_dc_67.html

Africa in Slavery Showdown with Former Masters

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010905/ts/race_reparations_dc_1.html

At Race Talks, Delegates Cite Early Mistrust

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/05/international/05RACE.html