Source: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/mideastdigest/2008/jan/102944.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/mideastdigest/2008/jan/102944.htm
Date: April 3, 2008

From the Daily Press Briefing of April 3, 2008:
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QUESTION: Yes. Tom, what’s the U.S. position regarding this Durban II conference with the Middle East?
MR. CASEY: Oh, okay. The – well, let me start with a little bit of background on this. I think many of you remember the Durban I conference that occurred in Durban several years ago. This was supposedly a conference that was going to examine issues related to racism and, frankly, what it turned into was an anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli bashing session. Secretary Powell, at that time, very rightly withdrew the U.S. delegation and we ended all participation in it. Unfortunately, some bad ideas don’t ever seem to die. And so there is now plans afoot to hold a Durban II conference that is tentatively scheduled for 2009. 
There is testimony that was given by Assistant Secretary for International Organization Silverberg on this yesterday. And I’d refer you to that for a more complete response. But I think the bottom line for the United States and for this Administration on this is there have been preparatory work that’s been underway for this conference since August. We haven’t participated in those discussions. We have assured that there will be no funding for those discussions. And we see no reason at this point why the United States should participate in the meeting itself. 
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