Racism conference accord welcomed

Ministers today welcomed an agreement reached at the world racism conference which recognised the injustice of slavery and colonialism.

Britain and other EU members reached agreement - which stops short of an outright apology for the slave trade - with African nations today after hours of talks in Durban, South Africa.

Foreign office minister Baroness Amos, representing Britain, said she was pleased agreement had been reached and added that the priority now was to move forward.

In a statement, she said: ‘‘Britain takes racism seriously. Remaining engaged in Durban was one sign of that.

‘‘The conference was an important opportunity for the international community to find ways of combating racism and xenophobia.

‘‘Durban was a step in this direction and I am pleased that we have been able to reach agreement.

‘‘Britain’s priority is to tackle racism in today’s world. We always maintained that this should be the focus of Durban but we cannot understand the present without also looking at the past.

‘‘So as we have always agreed it was right that Durban should have acknowledged the legacy of history. The slave trade was abhorrent and barbaric and Britain has an honourable record it to an end.

‘‘I hope that the agreement reached in Durban can help close a painful chapter in human history.

‘‘What is important now is to move forward. We want to move forward in our relationship with Africa and the Caribbean on the basis of partnership and solidarity in the modern world.’’