Slavery reparations still hot topic

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2001

Delegates to the World Conference Against Racism are still deadlocked on language expressing regret or otherwise acknowledging the effects of the global slave trade network.

Some leaders of African nations have demanded reparations to pay for slavery. They say European and Western countries benefited while their economies are still in turmoil.

Some European and Western countries, however, are concerned about how to acknowledge slavery. Along with the United States, they worry an outright apology will pave the way for lawsuits and compensations.

The issue was one which worried Secretary of State Colin Powell, who ultimately decided not to attend the conference. The United States might have supported a document expressing "regret" for the slave network.

The conference ends tomorrow. It is taking place in Durban, South Africa.

Get the Story:
Overshadowed, Slavery Debate Boils at Racism Conference (The New York Times 9/6)
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Relevant Links:
Human Rights Issues, State Department - http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr
World Conference Against Racism, UN - http://www.un.org/WCAR