Dean apologises for flag remark

Mr Dean is leading in several key states

Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean has apologised for comments he made about the Confederate flag.

The ex-Vermont governor said he deeply regretted any pain he may have caused to African-Americans.

Mr Dean had come under fire from rivals saying he wanted "to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pick-up trucks".

The flag is divisive in the United States; many see it as a racist symbol, while others link it to southern pride.

Mr Dean appeared to stop short of a full apology for the remarks, made last week in a newspaper interview.

Speaking in New York, he said: "Many people in the African-American community have supported what I said in the past few days because they understand what this is about," he said.

"But some have not, and to those I deeply regret the pain I may have caused."

He later told the Associated Press news agency: "That was an apology. You heard it from me."

Controversy

Mr Dean, seen as the frontrunner out of nine Democrats vying to take on President George W Bush in next year's election, for several days resisted making an apology.

DEMOCRAT CONTENDERS Wesley Clark Howard Dean John Edwards Richard Gephardt John Kerry Dennis Kucinich Joseph Lieberman Carol Moseley Braun Al Sharpton

He said the Democrats had to reach out to poor southern whites if they were to beat the Republicans in the electorally vital region.

"We're not going to win in this country if we don't have a big tent," Mr Dean told his rivals in a televised debate on Tuesday.

But he was heavily criticised by two rivals, activist Al Sharpton and Senator John Edwards.

Mr Sharpton, who is black, rejected Mr Dean's explanation.

"I don't think you are a bigot, but I think it was insensitive and I think you ought to apologise," he said.

Mr Edwards, a white southerner, accused Mr Dean of being condescending.

"The last thing we need in the south is somebody like you coming down and telling us what to do," he said.