New Zealand PM condemns broadcaster's comment

....on Kofi Annan

WELLINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Prime Minister Helen Clark hasmoved to distance New Zealand from broadcaster Paul Holmes' labelling of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as a "cheeky darkie."

The comment was made during Holmes' morning breakfast show on NewstalkZB Wednesday, during which he said the world was not going to be told how to live by a Ghanaian. Several times he referred to Annan as a "cheeky darkie," New Zealand Press Association reported Thursday.

Clark has condemned Holme's words, and distanced New Zealand from them.

"That comment was completely unacceptable and demeaning of one of the world's top civil servants," Clark said Wednesday through aspokeswoman.

"I would not want New Zealand in any way to be associated with such comments," she added.

Holmes was commenting on Annan's warning overnight that nations could not act alone to quell the world's trouble spots. Annan also warned American President George W Bush that his doctrine of pre-emptive military intervention posed a fundamental challenge to the United Nations and could lead to a global free-for-all.

"That Kofi Annan, I have got to say to you, he has been a very cheeky darkie overnight," Holmes said.

But Holmes said Wednesday night that his comments were wrong.

"I think regret would be an understatement," he told TV One News.

"I'm sick in my guts about it actually. It was wrong, it was stupid, it's not how I think, it's just something you toss off in the morning."

Late Wednesday afternoon, NewstalkZB General Manager Bill Francis issued a statement which said Holmes realised his behaviour "overstepped the mark" and regretted any offence caused.

Francis said the comments had been "unreservedly withdrawn," and Holmes would be making further comment on the matter on Thursday.

Earlier, Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said it was a flippant but inappropriate description of one of the world's most outstanding citizens.

"Whether he meant it in good humour or not is beside the point," he said.

"It is a free country but people who have positions of responsibility on the airwaves should also exercise their responsibility appropriately," de Bres said. Enditem