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In the wake of resignations by two top officials at Metro International for making racial slurs in 2003, some black activists yesterday criticized the publisher of commuter newspapers for not going far enough to eradicate racism. The NAACP and others blasted Luxembourg-based Metro for keeping Steve R. Nylund on its payroll as an executive vice president, though he no longer will play a role in the media giant's day-to-day operations. "Mr. Nylund's staying on only creates additional concerns as to why is he still there," said Leonard C. Alkins, president of the NAACP's Boston branch. "If he is still there ... in some kind of capacity, his attitudes and personality will be injected and it sends the wrong message." Nylund, 36, stepped down as head of the company's U.S. division Wednesday night, two days after reports surfaced that he had denigrated blacks. He included a racist joke in remarks delivered at a company dinner near Rome 20 months ago. Later in 2003, board director Hans-Holger Albrecht also used an epithet to refer to blacks at a meeting. Both men issued apologies earlier this week, though Nylund declined to comment yesterday through a spokesman. In explaining his resignation, the 41-year-old Albrecht said, "I accept responsibility for my unfortunate statement and its unintended consequences." The racial comments were first reported by mediachannel.org. [more]