The eight-day World Conference against Racism is drawing to a close today, and while some strides have been made in resolving the differences that have marked this as a contentious gathering, the conference seems to have proven, above anything else, that the issues that divide the world can not be easily addressed. Much of the conference has been dominated by two issues: the language equating Zionism and racism in the draft declaration and the desire on the part of some African states for an formal apology and reparations for slavery. Israel and the United States left the conference earlier in the week in protest over the former issue.