Washington: In what could cause a major disappointment to Blacks, Hispanics and American-Indians, US President George W Bush has opposed the University of Michigan's system of affirmative action aimed at helping the minority students.

The action "amounts to a quota system" that rewards or penalises prospective students solely based on their race, Bush said, adding he strongly supports diversity in higher education but the method used by the University of Michigan "is fundamentally flawed".

The University gives these minority students 20 extra points when they apply for admission, so as to help them compete with the socially and economically advantaged White students.

The Michigan system is now before the US Supreme Court after a lawsuit was brought by three White students in the biggest affirmative action case in a decade.

The system adopted by the University is unconstitutional because "our Constitution makes it clear that people of all races must be treated equally under the law", Bush said, announcing that his administration would file a legal brief in the case with the Supreme Court.

Yet, Bush conceded, "Our society has not fully achieved that ideal. Racial prejudice is a reality in America. It hurts many of our citizens," but that in trying to fix the problem, "we must not use means that create another wrong".

He said that some students at the university are selected or rejected on the colour of their skin. "The motivation for this administration policy may be very good, but the result is discrimination. And that discrimination is very wrong," Bush said.

The President said Americans should not be satisfied with the current numbers of minorities on college campuses.

"Our government must work to make college more affordable for students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and because we're committed to racial justice, we must make sure that America's public schools offer a quality education to every child from every background," Bush said.

PTI