Pubdate: Wed, 16 May 2001 Source: EFE News (Spain Wire) Copyright: 2001 Agencia EFE S.A. Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1396 Author: Ruth E. Hernandez Beltran COLOMBIANS PROTEST LETTERMAN'S OFFENSIVE JOKE NEW YORK - New York's Colombian community will protest on Thursday against the CBS television network to demand an apology for comments made by talk show host David Letterman about Colombia's representative in the Miss Universe pageant. Colombians have called Letterman's comments offensive and rejected the alleged apology he made on Monday, saying it is not sufficient. Colombian activists, who participated in a press conference together with theColombian consul in New York, Mauricio Suarez, have demanded an apology from CBS's top official. "We are offended and saddened by such negative comments, especially when Miss Colombia Andrea Noceti is treated like a drug trafficker," Colombian activist Zoilo Nieto said. "We think Colombia has put a lot, especially in (loss of) lives, into a problem that is shared by the United States, which is the main consumer of its illegal drugs. We understand that Letterman does not represent the U.S. government's position and has no right to speak for CBS," he noted. In Letterman's "Late Show" comedy program last Friday, he said Noceti, who is competing in the Miss Universe pageant, had to swallow 50 balloons full of heroin as her talent routine. The comment drew immediate outrage from New York's Colombian community, which is demanding an apology from the network, although Letterman's show is produced independently. "For us this is a very serious issue and we invite all of the Colombian community to join us Thursday to express our sorrow. We want CBS, through its president, to publicly apologize. Our community deserves respect," Nieto said. Meanwhile, Ricardo Lievano, who represents Colombian organizations in New York and New Jersey, said Letterman's joke was not funny "because drug trafficking is a worldwide problem, not just Colombia's, but they are always pointing (to us) as the most blameworthy country." "Colombia is an honest country and we have paid the highest price due to drug trafficking," he noted. Suarez said he sent Letterman a letter to protest his offensive joke. "His comments not only defame the reputation of Miss Colombia, but also hurt the feelings of an entire community," the letter reads. In the letter, the consul reminds Letterman of the country's struggle against drug trafficking and the death and suffering it has caused. On his show on Monday, Letterman apologized for his comments, but used a cynical tone, which has further upset the Colombian community. Meanwhile, Marta Garcia, the spokesman of the National Media Coalition, said that CBS and other major networks last year signed an agreement with her organization regarding the treatment and employment of minorities. She noted that the head of CBS's Diversification department, Josy Thomas, told her over the telephone that the network is concerned with the situation and is willing to meet with representatives of the Colombian community. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek