Omar skips controversial issues at Durban

By M.S. Prabhakara

DURBAN, SEPT. 3. India avoided any reference to two dominant issues - equating Zionism with racism and reparations for slavery and colonialism - at the World Conference Against Racism deliberations on Sunday.

Asked why, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Omar Abdullah, said the Indian position on Palestine was ``well known'', and that India did not equate Zionism with racism. On the issue of reparations for slavery and colonialism, he said India ``went along'' with the African group even while conceding that even the African group was not of one mind on what form these should take. This reticence to speak of issues which may not appear to be of immediate `Indian concern' does contrast with the interventions that India used to make in international forums till recently on broader issues of international concern, and indeed with its visions of emerging as the new century's `super power', a fit and proper candidate for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Earlier in his speech, Mr. Abdullah spoke of how, ``inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and guided by the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar'', the Indian Government remained committed to combating and eliminating discrimination in all its manifestation.

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Section  : International
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