| Statement
by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the UN The Secretary-General has been following closely
developments at the World Conference Against Racism since he left Durban, South Africa, on
Saturday. He spoke to Mary Robinson, the Secretary-General of the Conference, in
the last few hours.
He expects that progress
can be made as delegates strive to harmonize their divergent positions in the search for a
consensus text to come out of the conference.
He is disappointed at the decision by
Israel and the United States to withdraw their delegations from these intense
negotiations, which, he is convinced, with continued good will, can conclude successfully
by the end of this week.
It is tough going, but he urges all
countries to stay the course. The Conference cannot afford other defections.
Kigali, Rwanda
3 September 2001 |
