During a radio interview Monday in Louisiana, Cooksey said, "If I see someone that comes in that has a diaper on his head and a fan belt wrapped around the diaper on his head, that guy needs to be pulled over and checked."

Cooksey added, "Anyone that fits a profile of a terrorist is more likely to be stopped and interrogated and perhaps apprehended in any place where they're traveling."

In a written statement Thursday, Cooksey said, "I regret my choice of words and in no way do I condone irrational attacks against people of Arabic ancestry."

But he added, "The terrorists fit a profile--a terrorist profile or suspect profile. Future airport security to prevent another tragic attack on America...must identify those who might be terrorists."

His remarks-- partly retracted or not-- have prompted a flurry of angry responses.

"His comments are derogatory and extremely offensive, it's just unbelievable," said Manjit Singh, executive director of Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force. "It is shocking that an elected-official would make such insensitive remarks about Americans given the circumstances we're under."

Singh, who wears a turban, is referring to reports from across the country of Sikh men who have been killed since last week's terrorist attacks. Some of those deaths are being investigated as hate crimes.

Leaders of ethnic and religious organizations who urged compassion and understanding at a rally Wednesday at the Japanese American World War II Memorial, say these types of remarks contradict the message of peace and fairness that the Bush administration and other top officials have been touting since the attacks.

"His (Cooksey's) statements fly in the face of what Congressman Wu has been saying for the past week - that diversity is what makes our nation strong and that we should avoid pointing fingers at others based on religion or ethnicity," said Oregon Congressman David Wu's press secretary, Holly Armstrong.

Cooksey made his remarks on the same day that President Bush, visiting the Islamic Center in Washington, said, "Women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes, moms who wear cover must not be intimidated in America."

Though Cooksey retracted part of his statement Thursday, many critics were not appeased.

"In no way can he find a way of cleaning up what he said," said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute.

Karen K. Narasaki, the executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, said, "I don't think you can retract what he said, he clearly meant it."

"And I think he needs to do more than just apologize," Narasaki said. "He needs to go to some of those communities and he needs to educate himself."

Ahan Kim's e-mail address is akim@coxnews.com.