nomination of a former American Footballer as ambassador to the Bahamas.

The decision to nominate Mr. Sidney Williams sparked heated discussion among some members of the US Congress.

But Dr. Brown believes there would have been no controversy had the nominee been white.

A friend of Mr. Williams for 15 years, the Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport said that he was well qualified for the job. He pointed out Mr. Williams' nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a 14-6 vote.

"Sidney Williams had more of a formal education than Ronald Reagan and no-one questioned Ronald Reagan's appointment although he had been an actor before becoming president,'' added Dr. Brown.

He described it as a tribute to President Bill Clinton that he had gone against the grain to appoint a black man as a US ambassador, although there had been black ambassadors to South Africa.

"I have known Sidney Williams for more than 15 years, as a friend and as a business associate. He is a well respected gentleman. He is not the first diplomat who played football.'' He noted that one Republican candidate for the presidency was Jack Kemp, another former footballer.

Mr. Williams was a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins of the National Football League between 1964 and 1969.

His experiences abroad include vacation trips to the Bahamas and travel with the Los Angeles Rams football team to England, Germany and Japan.

He was a car salesman for some years, selling quality Mercedes Benz cars. Mr.

Williams is the husband of Rep. Maxine Waters, a member of the congressional Black Caucus, and representative for South Central Los Angeles. She spoke in Bermuda two months ago.

Democrats have accused Republican administrations of doling out too many ambassadorships to deep-pocketed campaign contributors, a practice derided by Vice President Al Gore as an "abuse.'' Dr. Brown said that Mr. Williams' appointment was a welcome change from this practice.

He said: "If Mr. Williams did not qualify to be the ambassador to the Bahamas, I am sure that President Clinton and the US congress would not have invited his nomination.

"Bermudians should not be concerned by any story which implies that there should be some concern if an ambassador like Mr. Williams is appointed to Bermuda as US Consul General.''