GENEVA - It is open between the controversy and blatant objections in Geneva the UN conference on racism and xenophobia" Durban II. Many governments have decided to boycott the event for fear that it becomes a process in Israel. There is the United States, Italy, Germany, Poland, Australia, Canada, 'Holland, New Zealand and Israel. And all the European countries have abandoned the work as soon as the Iranian president began to speak, calling Israel - although not naming him directly - "a racist government." discourse. On the podium of the Geneva conference, Ahmadinejad criticized the establishment of "a racist government in the Middle East since 1945, clearly alluding to Israel:" After the end of World War II - said from the stage in Geneva - the allies are appeals to military aggression to deprive an entire nation on earth, under the pretext of Jewish suffering. They have sent migrants from Europe, the United States and the world of the Holocaust to establish a racist government in occupied Palestine. " Ahmadinejad has also received applause from the audience: the first time when he accused "Western states have remained silent in the face of crimes committed by Israel in Gaza" and the second time when he said that should "review international organizations and their way of working. "Consents to the Iranian president came when he talked about the global economic crisis, emphasizing that" continue to worsen and there are hopes that it can be overcome, "and accused the U.S. of having unleashed .
Protest.'s words attack the Iranian head of state and delegates from the Western European countries have left the room. Dura condemnation by the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, in a statement that he "deplored "Iranian attacks on Israel:" I deplore the use of this platform to acknowledge, divide and even instigate, "Ban said:" This is the opposite of what this conference is aimed. "But UN has reached even a "rap" to countries that have deserted the conference: "The best reply to such events is to respond and correct, not to withdraw and boycott the conference," said UN High Commissioner 's UN Human Rights Navi Pillay. "The boycott is not the best response," he added. Three protesters dressed as clowns, with multicolored wigs, belonging to the Union of French Jewish students were expelled from the classroom when they started to scream "racist" at the Iranian leader. One youth who was in the audience was able to throw the fake plastic red nose at the Iranian president before being dragged away. France, represented by an ambassador in Geneva, as representatives of other European countries present, had warned that he would leave the room if you decide Ajmadinejad "accusations of anti-Semitism" in his speech. Immediately after the speech, French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned that the EU should adopt a "strongest possible terms" against "hate calls" such as Ahmadinejad. A bit harsh response 'from all the EU representatives, including the same Britain that had also decided to attend the conference. While Italy, which was
the first European country to support the possibility of a boycott, said: "Our forecast was correct," said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. "But we are ready to commit right away for another time international against racism and discrimination."
Use caution. The United States has maintained an uncompromising position is: "We want a direct dialogue with Iran but Iran needs to do a number of things to fall into the good graces of the international community," said spokesman Robert Wood. "If Iran wants different relations with the international community must move away from this terrible rhetoric, unnecessary, counterproductive and only serves to feed racial hatred." The Vatican remains in the classroom. In the evening came the position of the Holy See, which he called Ahmadinejad's speech "extreme and unacceptable," but chose not to join the protest of the western countries. Ahmadinejad "has used the expressions extremist - he told Vatican Radio the United Nations Permanent Observer of the Holy See, Monsignor Silvano Tomasi - with which we can not agree in any way, but at the same time, in the debate occurs in the context of the international community there are few votes radical views that can not be shared but it is necessary to listen because this is the environment and the nature of the United Nations to be the forum where all nations are expressed. " The "point addressed by the Iranian president - said Msgr. Tomasi - is that the racism of the state of Israel towards the Palestinians, but he has not expressed against the Holocaust, did not deny this tragic historical phenomenon, did not mention the destruction of Israel or the elimination of this state. For this reason we decided to other European countries, all Latin American countries with the totality of African and Asian countries to remain in the room to affirm this right of freedom of expression that is part of the battle that we fought here for change the final document of this conference in Durban II. "irritation of Israel. In this climate, soon after the start of the conference, the Israeli government has recalled its ambassador for consultations this week. A decision made following a meeting between the Swiss president Hans-Rudolf Merz and the leader Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It is''a breakdown in relations, but an expression of discontent in Israel for the lax attitude of Switzerland against Iran,''said a senior Foreign Ministry of the Jewish state. The Iranian Fars news agency reported that during the interview, the Iranian president called Israel "the most terrible manifestation of racism" and claimed that the international community to use "two weights and two measures on human rights and violation of the same in the U.S. and in Europe. " Nuclear and relations with the U.S.. Later, during the press conference, Ahmadinejad has changed its tune instead of talking about relations with the United States Barack Obama, saying "welcome" the new approach the U.S. administration against Iran, which the Democratic chairman said he wanted to "reach out" in a major speech
few weeks ago. An opening important, he said, but that is accompanied by "concrete signals". "With all honesty say no nuclear weapons, yes to nuclear power," he pointed out the Iranian president on the controversial issue of nuclear Iran. For Iran, "the issue of nuclear dossier is a closed ... We have signed the Hague Convention and
seeks to draw the benefits." Ahmadinejad for "justice must be equal for everyone: if nuclear power is used well that is available to all, when it is bad that is prohibited for all. "The intervention of Ban Ki-moon. Of the tensions that accompany the summit Ban is fully aware, so that before giving way to the work condemned" Holocaust denial. "Then, in his speech which opened the proceedings, has defended the controversial final declaration text as a" carefully balanced "." I deeply regret that some countries have decided to stay out - said Ban - I hope that they will not for long. We can overcome our differences. I call on all countries to consider this process as a beginning and not an end. "The position of the EU. Spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann of the European Commission has clarified that the executive EU is closely following the UN conference and that the text of the document "is not ideal but a compromise." The Commission is, however, "respond appropriately" to any "unacceptable statements". After noting that "many States have decided to withdraw from the conference. But a large majority - 23 out of 27 - are still involved in the conference," the spokesman stressed that Brussels considers to be able to take something from the conference and remains "committed to making everything possible. "
