Democrats hold Spanish TV debate

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US Democratic presidential hopefuls have taken part in the first televised debate to be conducted in Spanish.

Questions were translated for the candidates and their English answers translated back into Spanish.

Analysts say the debate, which covered issues such as immigration and relations with Latin America, shows the growing influence of Hispanic voters.

The same format was proposed for Republican candidates, but only Senator John McCain agreed to take part.

The seven contenders taking part all indicated they would address the issue of immigration in their first year in office.

'Dehumanising'

Most said they would want to overhaul immigration laws once in the White House and back a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

I object to the dehumanising of people that want to be part of the American dream Bill Richardson

Mrs Clinton accused the Republicans of using the immigration issue to divide Americans.

"I believe (the issue) is being used to bash immigrants and that must stop," she said.

New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who would be the first Hispanic US president, said " I object to the dehumanising of people that want to be part of the American dream."

Mr Richardson, who together with Sen Christopher Dodd, was the only fluent Spanish speaker among the contenders criticised the debate rules that all candidates had to answer in English.

"I'm disappointed today that 43 million Latinos in this country, for them not to hear one of their own speak Spanish, is unfortunate," he said.

Hispanics are the largest minority group in the US, and will account for some 17 million eligible voters in 2008.

Illinois Sen Barack Obama, Mrs Clinton's closest rival in the polls, said that "a president not only has to speak out forcefully against anti-immigration sentiment... but make sure all workers are taken care of."

The debate took place at the University of Miami and was broadcast on Univision, the largest Spanish-language television network in the US.