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.
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