[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[January 18, 2001]
[Pages 2951-2952]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on the Inter-Agency Task Force for Preparation for the World 
Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related 
Intolerance
January 18, 2001

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: Inter-Agency Task Force for Preparation for the World 
Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related 
Intolerance

    The United Nations has held two world conferences on racism, one in 
1978, and another in 1983. These two conferences focused on the world's 
obligation to victims of racial discrimination and the importance of 
national legislative, judicial, and administrative action in addressing 
the problem of racism.
    In recognition of the fact that the objective of eliminating racial 
discrimination has not yet been attained, the United Nations in a 1997 
resolution called for a Third World Conference on Racism, Racial 
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Conference). The 
Conference will be held in South Africa in September 2001.
    This Administration has consistently demonstrated a strong 
commitment to issues of race and race relations and believes that the 
United States will play an important role in this international event. 
Our effective participation in the Conference requires the continued 
involvement and coordination of many executive departments and agencies, 
as well as input from nongovernmental organizations. This Administration 
is

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strongly committed to the success of the Conference and, to that end, I 
direct as follows:

       (1)  There is established an ``Inter-Agency Task Force for the 
            United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial 
            Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance'' (Task 
            Force).
       (2)  The Task Force shall be comprised of representatives from 
            the Departments of Justice, State, the Interior, the Small 
            Business Administration, and such other agencies as the 
            Chair deems appropriate. The Chair of the Task Force shall 
            be the representative from the Justice Department. The Task 
            Force shall report to the President, through the White House 
            Chief of Staff.
       (3)  The Task Force shall coordinate all planning efforts related 
            to the United States' participation in the Conference. This 
            coordination shall include such matters as outreach to 
            nongovernmental organizations, participation in national and 
            international discussions concerning the Conference's 
            agenda, its objectives and scope, and government-wide 
            preparations for participation in the Conference.
       (4)  The Department of State shall provide the funding for the 
            Task Force and bear all administrative costs.

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this memorandum.