A United Nations world conference against racism begins in the South African city of Durban today amid bitter recriminations about the Middle East between Arab states and the US.
The US has downgraded its attendance at the event and says it will only participate fully if "offensive language" condemning Israel's treatment of the Palestinians as racist is eliminated from texts due to be adopted by the conference.
Arab and Islamic countries are insisting the divisive issue is addressed at the event, formally titled the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, confirmed yesterday that a middle-level US delegation would attend the week-long gathering.
A team of up to 30 US officials arrived in Durban last night, headed by Mr Michael Southwick, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for international organisations. It had originally been expected that the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, would head the US delegation.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the global event, Mrs Robinson stressed that she wanted "effective representation" from the more than 150 countries represented.
"It's a matter for countries at what level they come, but I have no doubt that he [Mr Southwick] is a skilled negotiator leading a team of professional experts," she added.
The US boycotted two previous world conferences against racism in 1978 and 1983 over disputes about the Middle East.
Mrs Robinson, who is stewarding the conference, said: "The reality is sobering . . . At a time of great conflict and suffering in the Middle East, the delegates have to address and find common language.
"My experience of listening to the different sides is that there is a genuine political will to resolve the issues. It is well recognised that this conference cannot solve the Middle East problem, and there is a strong will to see a successful outcome so that we have an energised global alliance of governments and civil societies against racism and discrimination."
The conference will be opened by the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, and the President of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki. Flags at the conference venue, the International Convention Centre, flew at half-mast yesterday as a mark of respect at the death of Mr Mbeki's father.
Following the formal opening, heads of state or government including the Palestinian leader, Mr Yasser Arafat, will attend a round-table session. The Irish delegation will be headed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr O'Donoghue, who arrived in Durban last night.
Officials will then form working groups to agree the text of the final declaration and programme of action which delegates from more than 150 countries must agree.
Mrs Robinson said she hoped these groups would come up with "a good, rigorous, practical, forward-looking text". She would encourage every country to adopt a national action plan against racism which could be monitored by civil society as well as an expanded anti-discrimination unit based in her office.
The backdrop to the conference has been ongoing acrimonious exchanges between Jewish and Palestinian delegates at a gathering of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Durban ahead of the UN event.
Palestinians and their supporters yesterday staged a march with banners declaring Israel an apartheid state. Police separated the demonstrators from Jewish representatives who sang the John Lennon song, Give Peace A Chance.
The two sides had heated exchanges earlier at a press conference organised by the International Jewish Caucus. Similar confrontations also occurred on Wednesday.
Mrs Robinson said she was concerned to learn about these exchanges.
The thorny issue of India's caste system was also raised yesterday at a question-and-answer session in the grounds of a cricket stadium where the NGO gathering is being held.
India wants the issue of caste discrimination to be off the Durban agenda, but activists claim it is a contemporary form of slavery and should be abolished. Mr Annan yesterday faced harsh words from activists about the caste system at the session.
The incident occurred when a member of the Dalit caste, formerly known as "untouchables", made a statement on the plight of his low-caste community.
When Mr Annan replied that this was not a question, other Dalits began to protest loudly. Dalits and other groups later held a demonstration.
Other controversial issues yet to be resolved include calls by African states for apologies and reparations for slavery and colonialism.
The US and European countries fear an apology could lead to compensation claims in court. Talks are now expected to focus on a collective statement of regret and development aid for Africa.
On the issue of the asylum-seekers stranded on a Norwegian freighter in Australian waters, Mrs Robinson said it was worrying that a country with a fine tradition like Australia had not done more to help.
She urged the Australian people to press their politicians to help the 434 people rescued by the freighter from a sinking Indonesian vessel on Sunday.
Australia and Indonesia have defied pressure to accept the group. The issue was a serious humanitarian and human rights issue, she added.