DaimlerChrysler Executive Attack on 'Conservatives' Stirs Controversy; Carmaker Asked to End Support for Jesse Jackson

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 The following letter was sent today to
Chrysler Group President and CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche by Peter Flaherty,
president of the National Legal and Policy Center:

    The purpose of this letter is two-fold. We ask that remarks attributed to
DaimlerChrysler senior vice president Frank Fountain be withdrawn, and that
DaimlerChrysler cease financial support for Jesse Jackson and his
organizations.
    According to CNSNews.com, Fountain stated during Jackson's Wall Street
Conference last week, "Most of [Jackson's] critics are conservatives. They
have a rather myopic view of the world."
    Even more surprising, Fountain allegedly stated, "From my fairly close
knowledge of [Jackson's] operation, they are one of integrity and beyond
reproach."
    Fountain may have a myopic view of Jesse Jackson. I have enclosed a copy
of a formal Complaint filed by the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC)
with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on February 28, 2001 against the
Citizenship Education Fund (CEF), which organized the Wall Street Conference.
It alleges that Jesse Jackson, his family and friends have personally enriched
themselves through the operation of a nonprofit organization.
    The Complaint is pending. Jackson implicitly acknowledged the validity of
at least one count of the Complaint when he amended CEF's tax returns.
    I am happy to report that another foreign carmaker, Toyota, has ceased
support for Jackson in apparent response to a similar request I made last
year.
    In 2002, Toyota was a very visible sponsor of the Wall Street Conference.
A Toyota executive gave a keynote speech. Toyota became the target of my
criticism in op-eds that were published in newspapers all over the country and
in numerous television and radio interviews.
    Personal events in 2001 have greatly reduced Jackson's moral authority as
a "civil rights leader" and member of the clergy.
    Fountain reportedly confirmed that DaimlerChrysler had paid a "six-figure
sum" to sponsor the Wall Street Conference.  Your support for Jackson is
inappropriate given his most recent anti-American statements and his long-
standing anti-semitism.
    I can assure you that political conservatives, who include your
shareholders, business partners, employees and customers, are being made aware
of Fountain's deliberate and gratuitous attack on them. I strongly urge you to
fulfill my two requests without delay.

    Headquartered near Washington, DC, NLPC is a foundation supporting ethics
and accountability in government. http://www.nlpc.com