UN document 'tainted': Canadian Jewish leader

The head of the Canadian Jewish Congress says the declaration produced at the controversial United Nations conference against racism is tainted.

Keith Landy, who returned home from Durban, South Africa on Sunday, also praised the Canadian delegation's efforts to keep the document from singling out Israel for criticism.

The conference was overshadowed by accusations of racist language against Israel. The United States and Israel both removed their delegations in protest.

But Landy says even though the Canadian delegation stayed, he believes they fought hard to ensure the final document didn't contain any anti-Semitic language.

"We are appreciative of the comments of Minister (Hedy) Fry for her statement that she and her delegation would not tolerate offensive language, some of which found its way into the final document," he explained.

Fry has said that Canada is not happy with the anti-Israeli sentiment in the document, but that it was necessary for her to stay to ensure its views were on the record.

Landy said he was also pleased with the stand of the Canadian government.

"We appreciate the position that the Canadian government took, that Minister (John) Manley decided early on that he would not attend and we commend him for that," said Landy.

• FROM SEPT. 8, 2001: Canada decries part of anti-racism declaration

Delegates spent nine days hammering out an agreement that expressed regret for the suffering caused by slavery and one that noted the plight of the Palestinians under foreign occupation.