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Spielberg boycotts Olympic role Spielberg boycotts Olympic role
(about 1 hour later)
US film director Steven Spielberg has withdrawn as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.US film director Steven Spielberg has withdrawn as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
In a statement, he accused China of not doing enough to pressure its ally Sudan to end the "continuing human suffering" in the troubled western Darfur region.In a statement, he accused China of not doing enough to pressure its ally Sudan to end the "continuing human suffering" in the troubled western Darfur region.
At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict.At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict.
Beijing has not yet responded to the move, which correspondents say is its first big setback in staging the Games.
A source in the Beijing Olympic Committee said a response was being discussed at the highest levels but had not yet been made public.
Repression in China is on the rise, and Olympic sponsors, governments, or world leaders can't pretend otherwise Minky Worden Human Rights Watch
But the BBC's James Reynolds in Beijing says the decision will anger and worry the authorities there.
Since Beijing won the right to host the games it has always tried to keep China's politics and China's Olympics separate, he says, and it has attacked anyone who has tried to link the two.
Human Rights Watch welcomed Spielberg's move, and said it should prompt other corporate sponsors to press for reform.Human Rights Watch welcomed Spielberg's move, and said it should prompt other corporate sponsors to press for reform.
In a statement, Mr Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual.In a statement, Mr Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual.
"At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur." OLYMPICS ROW Famous names involved in advising the Olympics include director Zhang Yimou and Kung Fu star Jackie ChanHollywood stars Mia Farrow and George Clooney have criticised China over DarfurArchitect Ai Weiwei, who designed the main Olympic stadium, says the Games are a "public relations sham" "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur."
He added: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more."He added: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more."
The International Olympic Committee said the decision was a personal one made by Mr Spielburg. The International Olympic Committee said the decision was a personal one made by Mr Spielberg.
"The IOC recognise Darfur is a highly complex issue, with tragic circumstances, but is a matter for the UN to resolve," the committee said in a statement."The IOC recognise Darfur is a highly complex issue, with tragic circumstances, but is a matter for the UN to resolve," the committee said in a statement.
'Repression rising''Repression rising'
Sudan, with its vast oil reserves, sells some two-thirds of its oil to Beijing.Sudan, with its vast oil reserves, sells some two-thirds of its oil to Beijing.
In turn, Beijing sells weapons to the Sudanese government and has defended Khartoum in the UN Security Council.In turn, Beijing sells weapons to the Sudanese government and has defended Khartoum in the UN Security Council.
China faces dilemmas of success As a result, China has been criticised for its links with a government ostracised by many for its role in the ongoing crisis in Darfur. China faces dilemmas of success
As a result, China has been criticised for its links with a government ostracised by many for its role in the ongoing crisis in Darfur.
Human Rights Watch said corporate sponsors, governments and National Olympic Committees should urge Beijing to improve human rights conditions.Human Rights Watch said corporate sponsors, governments and National Olympic Committees should urge Beijing to improve human rights conditions.
Minky Worden said: "Repression in China is on the rise, and Olympic sponsors, governments, or world leaders - especially those planning to attend the Games - can't pretend otherwise.Minky Worden said: "Repression in China is on the rise, and Olympic sponsors, governments, or world leaders - especially those planning to attend the Games - can't pretend otherwise.
"These influential players should be prepared to show the steps they are taking to address the worsening rights climate in China, or they risk being tarnished by a human rights debacle." 'Desperate time'
'Tremendous potential'
Earlier on Tuesday, as part of a "Global Day of Action" focusing on Darfur, an open letter signed by Nobel Peace Prize laureates and former Olympians was sent to China's president.Earlier on Tuesday, as part of a "Global Day of Action" focusing on Darfur, an open letter signed by Nobel Peace Prize laureates and former Olympians was sent to China's president.
"We are all aware of the tremendous potential for China to help bring an end to the conflict in Darfur," said the letter, delivered to the Chinese mission to the United Nations by actress Mia Farrow and former Olympic swimmers Shannon Shakespeare and Nikki Dryden. Actress Mia Farrow, who signed the letter and had pressed Spielberg to end his involvement, said his decision sent out the right signal to the Chinese Government.
Farrow, who had pressed Spielberg to end his involvement, said his decision sent out the right signal to the Chinese Government.
She said: "I'm delighted by his decision and it's a desperate time for Darfur so this is a shred of good news in a very bleak week.She said: "I'm delighted by his decision and it's a desperate time for Darfur so this is a shred of good news in a very bleak week.
"Through his participation with the games it was clear that he was giving his moral cover to Beijing at a time when they're underwriting genocide in Darfur. So I hoped that he would discontinue his participation with the games.""Through his participation with the games it was clear that he was giving his moral cover to Beijing at a time when they're underwriting genocide in Darfur. So I hoped that he would discontinue his participation with the games."
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