http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americ....ap/index.html
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) -- President Vicente Fox on Sunday defended his commitment to human rights on a U.S. radio program, in his first public response to his controversial comment that Mexicans take the U.S. jobs that "not even" blacks want.
U.S. civil rights activist Jesse Jackson pressed the Mexican president for an apology for the remark that has strained relations between U.S. blacks and Hispanics, during an interview on a Chicago gospel station.
"I very much regret the misinterpretation," said Fox, touting laws created under his administration that outlaw discrimination and protect minorities.
Fox met with Jackson behind closed doors on Wednesday in Mexico City after the president's comments about blacks ignited a firestorm of criticism from the black community and angered the U.S. government. But the president had explained himself only through his spokespeople until Sunday's on-the-air encounter with Jackson.
"Why not apologize?" Jackson asked.
"My government has proven its high commitment to human rights," said Fox, adding that he is eager to work with minority groups in the United States to improve labor conditions.
The 30-minute interview may not be the end of the hard questions for Fox. Activist Al Sharpton has demanded that Fox apologize when the two meet Monday in Mexico City.
Jackson also asked whether any blacks served in Fox's government. But it was not clear whether Fox heard or understood the question.
Few if any people from Mexico's tiny black population serve in the top ranks of Mexican government.
Many Mexicans did not see Fox's remark about blacks as offensive. But Fox's comment unveiled to the world Mexico's obsession with skin color, which dictates people's status in society in a way few Mexicans are comfortable discussing.
Much of the population is of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry, and Indians are overwhelmingly poor with little access to education.
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