09:58, 20 April 2009 | GMT +5
UN is ?shocked? at US boycott
GENEVA. April 20. KAZINFORM. UN human rights chief Navi Pillay expressed shock and disappointment yesterday at the US decision to stay away from a major conference on racism opening here today; Kazinform refers to Arab News.

The United States and five other countries are boycotting the event out of concern that some countries will demand that it denounce Israel.
In a statement, the UN high commissioner for human rights said most of the reasons given by the countries staying away from the Durban Review Conference could easily have been overcome.
?I am shocked and deeply disappointed by the United States? decision not to attend a conference that aims to combat racism, xenophobia, racial discrimination and other forms of intolerance worldwide,? she said.
The US announced Saturday that it would boycott the weeklong meeting. The Netherlands declared its boycott yesterday, while Australia, Canada, Israel and Italy already have said they would not attend; Kazinform cites Arab News. See www.arabnews.com for full version.