Italy to boycott Durban 2

FM Frattini tells Livni his country has problems with conference agenda, adds he is canceling visit to Iran

Roni Sofer

Published:  03.05.09, 18:36 / Israel News

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that his country would not participate in the international anti-racism conference in Geneva - known as 'Durban 2' – out of fears that the event was being used as an anti-Israeli forum.

 

Italy was one of a number of European Union members who expressed concerns in recent weeks that the international event would focus on censuring Israel and thus divert attention from the real problems of racial discrimination.