Jamaica Warns About Taking Joke Too Far

The German media has been full of humorous references to the Caribbean nation due to the naming of one possible governing coalition, the "Jamaica" one. It is so named because the colors of the three parties involved -- the Christian Democrats, the Free Democrats and the Greens -- are those on the Jamaican flag. Caricatures of the leaders of these parties have been cropping up in pictures, digitally manipulated so they are in dreadlocks or wearing hats typical of the island nation. Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer even made an offhand remark about reggae music and marijuana cigarettes in expressing his opposition to the idea. The Jamaican embassy apparently thought the joke had been taken far enough and issued a statement cautioning the news media about "trivializing" relations between the two countries.