Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Bush urged not to withdraw from racism conference

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Bush urged not to withdraw from racism conference: "Civil rights activists in the US are urging the president, George Bush, to drop his threat to boycott a UN conference on racism because of proposed discussions on slavery reparations and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

While acknowledging the August 31-September 7 meeting in Durban, South Africa may have little immediate impact on race relations in this country, activists and black civic leaders say it would be irresponsible for the US to skip the conference.

"Given a foundation so rotted by racism and slavery, America has a moral obligation, not just a political obligation, to provide leadership to the world on this issue," said the Reverand Jesse Jackson, who plans to attend the meeting.

"If the US government does not attend, it's a giant step toward isolation and embarrassment, and loss of global authority," Rev Jackson said in a telephone interview."