By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Singer Harry Belafonte lashed out at Secretary of State Colin Powell in a racially charged radio interview, likening the former general to a plantation slave who had sold out his principles "to come into the house of the master."

Belafonte, 75, who has long been outspoken on civil rights and other political issues, leveled his criticism at Powell during an appearance on Tuesday on a morning talk show airing on AM station KFMB in San Diego.

A partial transcript of his remarks, and a link to a recording of the interview, were posted Wednesday on the radio station's Web site (http://www.760kfmb.com).

The entertainer, who like Powell is a black man of Jamaican descent, criticized the secretary when asked by radio host Ted Leitner whether he thought Powell had taken a low profile as the Bush administration pressed its case against Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein. Powell initially had been seen as a leading proponent in the administration for seeking U.N. support for any military force against Iraq as opposed to unilateral action by the United States.

"There's an old saying, in the days of slavery, there were those slaves who lived on the plantation and were those slaves that lived in the house," Belafonte said. "You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master ... exactly the way the master intended to have you serve him.

"Colin Powell's committed to come into the house of the master," the performer continued. "When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned back out to pasture."

Belafonte went on to suggest that Powell's presence in the Bush cabinet amounted to racial tokenism, saying, "What Colin Powell serves is to give the illusion that the Bush cabinet is a diverse cabinet, made up of people of color ... when in fact none of that is what is true."

Belafonte, who popularized calypso music with such 1950s hits as "Banana Boat (Day-O)" and "Jamaica Farewell," also repeated his criticism of Powell and the Bush administration for not attending an international conference on racism in South Africa.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters that Powell "smiled" when he heard of Belafonte's remarks.

"He also said that both the IRS and his accountants thought he was better off as a field hand," Boucher said, adding that Powell had no other particular comment. The State Department has not tried to contact Belafonte, he said.

Leitner, a local sportscaster who hosts his morning talk show on KFMB each weekday, told Reuters that Belafonte was in San Diego for a performance there on Saturday.

Leitner said he was struck by the bluntness of Belafonte's remarks.

"People have become so politically correct," Leitner said. "Even on talk radio nowadays, for someone to come out, an African American, to go after Colin Powell like that ... was so unusual in this day and age that it really stood out."

But you know Belafonte isn't the only Black person that feels that way, eh?

No, man, it isn't that way at all. Why, just the other day, I ran into Powell and President Bush at the local bar.

"Hey, what are you guys up to?" I asked. "Planning World War III," said the president.

"Wow!" I said. "What's going to happen?"

President Bush said, "We're going to kill 140 million Arabs and one blonde with big tits."

"Why would you kill a blonde with big tits?" I asked.

President Bush smiled, punched Powell playfully in the shoulder, and said to him, "See? I told you no one would care about the Arabs!"

OK, all kidding aside. Colin Powell is much more to the center than almost anyone in President Bush's cabinent. In fact, I think that Powell really wants to be a Democrat, but just...can't...make...that...switch.

Belafonte is a great actor ("Kansas City") but I have the feeling that each time that a black succeeds in America and has some power, he is accused to be a "house slave" , to betray his race etc by some others blacks
And I'm not a Powell's fan.

jnoel said:

Amen.

Nep2nes said:

Ehem... Nep2nes... Jnoel hates you like everyone else...

Wake up and smell something other than the 682 gallons of pure chocolate syrup that you swim in and realize this.

IceNine said:

now dont be thread jocking this thread now boy!!! just replace Nep's with Bush, Jnoel with the world and you got a post!!

Nep2nes, you need to practice your wiping technique

Nah Ice, sometimes it snows in april.
I'm busy with my new muse Natasha, go to the "sexual position" thread, she blows a fuse zim boom

I Agree with Harry Belafonte.I think Colin Powell is a Very Bright Cat, but He has gotten CLowned by Bush&The Republican Party.I still remember the Boos in 96 at the Convention Party in San Diego when he spoke on His Views on different Issues.it's like He keeps taken it¬hing ever changes.if you play how them Bush's Want you to then you are alright.ask Clarence Thomas How Bush Sr Hooked His Ass Up after "Long Dong Silver" was all over the place?though Powell is Badd Uncle Clarence takes the Whole Cake&Napkins DAMN!! War Connerly as well Shelby Steele&some other House Cats.glad J.C. Waitts came to His Senses.

jnoel said:

Powell was an extremely big success in his career before he became a member of GW's cabinet. I never heard anyone publicly or privately call him a house slave. It has to do with GW's politics and how Powell has allowed himself to be totally played with some issues that have gone on in the past and present within Bush's 'leadership'.

Much props to Harry Belafonte for speaking the truth!!

I liked Mr. Powell's response. PERFECT

Harry Belafonte tellin it like it is.
Even worse is the American public going along with this ridiculous war, and for allowing congress to give the President power to declare war.

Call or email your congressman or senator--it's up to us, believe it or not. I've already emailed mine.