DURBAN (Reuters) - The United Nations' race conference broke a deadlock over the Middle East Friday but stayed split on slavery as it went into ``extra time.''Muslim states said they would not block a South African-proposed compromise on wording on the Middle East, although it fell short of demands for a condemnation of Israel.
But hopes for a breakthrough on how to address past issues of slavery and colonialism -- with Africa demanding an explicit apology -- were dashed after the EU initially announced a ''verbal agreement.'' (Read photo caption)
The text presented by South Africa of the deal contained elements that were unacceptable to the EU. South Africa was working on a fresh draft, spokesman Koen Vervaeke told Reuters.
Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, whose country holds the EU presidency, delayed his departure for Brussels where he is to chair an EU Foreign Ministers' meeting until Saturday morning to help the drive for a deal. ``It is very difficult, I do not know whether there will be an accord. If there is no accord, it is Africa that loses,'' he warned.
Rich states are resisting African demands for an apology for the slave trade and other past injustices because of fears that this could trigger a wave of lawsuits. But they have offered more aid to the world's poorest continent.
The eight-day conference, the largest international meeting ever to address the issue of racism and xenophobia, had been due to wind up in mid-afternoon but negotiators continued huddled over contentious issues.
The Middle East question, which prompted a walk-out by the United States and Israel earlier in the week over attempts to brand Israel as racist, had long been one of the thorniest.
PHOTO CAPTION:
President of the European Union council of ministers, Louis Michel, of Belguim, makes a statement to the media during the closing of the U.N. conference against racism in Durban, South Africa Friday Sept. 7, 2001. The EU agreed to a compromise calling on those responsible for slavery to find ways to restore the dignity of victims, resolving a key issue deadlocking the conference. (AP Photo/Mujahid Safodien)