White House says it might boycott racism conference

By Major Garrett
CNN White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush White House said Friday it plans to attend a U.N. conference on racism but would boycott the meeting if organizers make a part of the agenda any discussion that equates "Zionism with racism."

White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said administration officials have made it very clear to Mary Robinson, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, that U.S. attendance at the Durban, South Africa, conference depends on organizers striking any language equating Zionism with racism or seeking reparations for slavery.

"The president very much wants the U.S. to be able to attend the conference on race," Fleischer said. "The U.S. plans to go. The only thing that will stop the U.S from going ... is if the leaders of the conference make the very unwise decision of equating Zionism with racism or if they take other steps that have not been supported by previous administrations."

Fleischer said the White House opposes reparations for slavery in the United States, saying that is consistent with Clinton administration policy on the issue.

The U.N. conference on racism runs from August 31 to September 7.

In a speech in Geneva on July 24, Robinson said the conference marks the first time in the post-apartheid era that nations of the world will mount "a truly global effort to address the ancient and the modern manifestations of this evil."

A third meeting to prepare the agenda for the conference convenes Monday in Geneva.

A draft declaration submitted by Arab and Asian nations describes the Israeli treatment of Palestinians as a "new kind of apartheid." Also, Human Rights Watch has been pushing for discussion of compensation funds for slavery.

Fleischer said both topics are out of bounds.

"This should not bog down into a controversy about Zionism as racism and, if they do, the U.S. will not go," Fleischer said.