WASHINGTON - D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry says he has requested a formal meeting with the Philippines ambassador after the former mayor criticized local hospitals for hiring Filipino nurses instead of District residents.

The Washington Post ( http://wapo.st/I7Ffa0) reports that Barry spoke to the ambassador on Wednesday, but Barry has not said if a meeting will be held.

Earlier this week at a council hearing, Barry said many hospitals hire "immigrants who are nurses, particularly from the Philippines." He said that instead, nursing schools in the District should be training local residents to work in the industry and address nursing shortages.

Filipino Ambassador Jose Cuisia issued a statement Wednesday calling Barry's comments "intolerant and narrow-minded." Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton on Thursday issued a statement criticizing Barry's remarks.

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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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