.gnupg/gpg.conf permissions

[Robert Holtzman]

Just tried to d/l a key and was greeted with

[holtzm at localhost]~$ sudo gpg --recv --keyserver pgp.mit.edu 
A373FB480EC4FE05
[sudo] password for holtzm:
gpg: WARNING: unsafe ownership on configuration file 
`/home/holtzm/.gnupg/gpg.conf'
gpg: external program calls are disabled due to unsafe options file 
permissions
gpg: keyserver communications error: general error
gpg: keyserver receive failed: general error

I have downloaded keys from this server before with no problems. The 
ownership on the file in question is
-rw------- 1 holtzm holtzm 9419 2008-10-04 21:58 ./.gnupg/gpg.conf

If this is not correct what should I use? Tried making it root and got

gpg: WARNING: unsafe enclosing directory ownership on configuration file 
`/home/holtzm/.gnupg/gpg.conf'
gpg: external program calls are disabled due to unsafe options file 
permissions
gpg: keyserver communications error: general error
gpg: keyserver receive failed: general error

Does "enclosing directory" refer to /home/holtzm? What ownership and 
permissions should be used?

Again, I recently downloaded a key from this server with no problem. 
I'm at a loss.

Thanks

-- 
Bob Holtzman
"If you think you're getting free lunch,
  check the price of the beer"