LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Despite protests from US Indian tribes in California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday he would not apologize for his remarks that the Indians "are ripping us off."

    The governor was in response to questions at a news conference held in Los Angeles International Airport Friday about his remarksthat were denounced by the Indians as "racist."

    "Read my lips. The Indian gaming tribes with Proposition 70 aretrying to rip off California. I will say it again and again and again because that's what they are doing. And the reason they are upset is because the truth hurts," he said.

    Groups representing Indian gaming tribes criticized that Schwarzenegger's comment made last week at a San Diego restaurant was "insensitive."

    Schwarzenegger is campaigning against the Proposition 70, whichwould allow tribe-owned casinos to adopt Las Vegas-style gaming, as well as Proposition 68, which would amend California's constitution and statutes regarding Indian gaming compacts negotiated by former Governor Gray Davis and Schwarzenegger.

    Indian tribes that run casinos currently enjoy a multibillion-dollar monopoly on California's gambling while paying no taxes. Proposition 68 would force tribes to hand over 25 percent of theirrevenues or risk facing competition from non-tribal gaming outfitssuch as racetracks.

    Under Prop. 70, gaming tribes would pay an 8 percent tax -- thesame rate as California corporations -- in return for unlimited slots and other forms of gaming.

    But Schwarzenegger says neither proposal would result in gaming tribes paying "their fair share." "Both (propositions) are from special interests looking for special treatment," Schwarzenegger says in a TV ad.

    Schwarzenegger says he prefers the existing law, which allows him to negotiate tax rates with the tribes. He has negotiated new pacts in which the state receives about 13 percent in taxes, higher than the corporate rate but not the 25 percent the governorlobbied for. Enditem