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December 4, 2008 4:07:38 PM CST

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Clooney Wound Up Over Omega Role in Olympics

Posted Mar 12, 08 3:45 AM CDT in World,  Sports,  Arts & Living,  Business 

(Newser) – Actor George Clooney is pressuring watchmaker Omega, a key sponsor of  the Beijing Olympics, to speak out against China's involvement in Darfur. Clooney, a spokesman for the legendary Swiss company, is the latest Hollywood figure to use the upcoming Olympics as leverage against China, the strongest ally of Sudan, which is wreaking havoc in Darfur. "I have talked with Omega about China for over a year," said Clooney, who was recently made a UN peace envoy.

 "Last year I took Olympic athletes to Beijing to meet with the heads of the Chinese government." A spokesman for Omega said the firm shares Clooney's views, "especially concerning Darfu," but that's it's company policy "not to get involved in politics because it would not serve the cause of the sport," which helps create "understanding and peace."

Source BBC

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Liu Guijin, China's special envoy for Darfur, speaks at a press conference in Beijing Friday, March 7, 2008. Liu vigorously defended the government's policies on Sudan against critics seeking to link...   (Associated Press)
Actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace George Clooney is pressing China over Darfur (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)   (Associated Press)
Women refugees leave their camp in Kalma, southern Darfur Sudan to collect firewood under the protection of a U.N. patrol. The U.N. and African mission, known as UNAMID, started in January to try to...   (Associated Press)
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China • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Sudan • Darfur • Steven Spielberg • George Clooney • Omega • Joey Cheek


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