Obama Moves to Reverse Bush Boycott of UN Conference on Racism

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama moved toward reversing the Bush administration’s boycott of the United Nations Conference Against Racism by joining talks this week on the proposed outcome declaration.

Obama sent a delegation to negotiations that began today in Geneva, and the U.S. will consider attending the April 20-24 conference, according to the State Department. The U.S. didn’t attend two preparatory meetings last year, after walking out of the first UN conference on racism in Durban, South Africa, eight years ago to protest criticism of Israel.

“We are here to explore with you whether it is possible to move beyond our differences and focus the Durban Review Conference on the racism and xenophobia that seriously persist today in our world,” Mark Storella, head of the U.S. delegation, said in a statement to the opening of the Geneva meeting, according to a transcript provided by the UN.

The decision to attend the Geneva meeting represents a shift in U.S. positions on UN matters. The Obama administration previously lifted the ban on sending U.S. government funds to a UN agency that provides family planning counseling, expressed support for the International Criminal Court and is considering membership in the UN Human Rights Council.

The Bush administration refused to join the ICC or the Human Rights Council. The U.S. said the treaty that created the ICC doesn’t contain adequate provisions to protect its soldiers from politically motivated prosecutions. The decision not to stand for membership in the Human Rights Council stemmed from the body’s inclusion of Cuba, China and other countries accused of abuses.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aA8OrcAcDZ3c&refer=us

[Spazito]

1. Wow, that is wonderful!

I knew of some of the actions he had taken to reverse bushist policies and positions but wasn't aware how extensive it has been and in such a short time!

"The decision to attend the Geneva meeting represents a shift in U.S. positions on UN matters. The Obama administration previously lifted the ban on sending U.S. government funds to a UN agency that provides family planning counseling, expressed support for the International Criminal Court and is considering membership in the UN Human Rights Council."

Impressive, very impressive and uplifting to see.

Recommended.

[Wizard777]

4. Addressing the rampant Xenophobia should be central to the Middle East Peace process.

[duhneece]

7. Yes, yes, yes nt

[and-justice-for-all]

2. Everything shrubCo did must be reversed...

8 years of heading in the wrong direction, that is a lot of road to repair.

[Captain Hilts]

3. This is good. But don't let it turn into an anti-Israel jamboree as it did. nt

[Chulanowa]

8. "Anti-Israel Jamboree"?

That conjures up the strangest mental images, you realize? I just got the picture of Islamic Jihad playing hillbilly music.

Aaaaanyway. Where should we focus? There's only a few nations that make racism an official policy - China comes to mind, and some of the shit going on in Kongo definitely bears mention. There's also Italy's recent treatment of the Rrom. I'd say Israel's still in the top five, though. Probably higher on the list than the Italian one.

[guitarrista]

5. finally, some sanity

And let's not forget that Bush also refused to attend meetings with the NCAAP several times.

[Cha]

6. Rec'd! Let's get good news

Viral~

[IDFbunny]

9. It's ALL about Israel