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Clooney Talks Darfur With Obama

Oscar-winner, president met in White House on Oscar day

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 24, 2009 9:32 AM CST

(AP) – George Clooney had a pretty good reason for skipping the Oscars: He had a meeting yesterday with President Obama. Clooney told the president about his visit with Darfur refugees, and delivered 250,000 postcards gathered by the Save Darfur organization to the president. "I think somehow we should all know that these people are hanging on by the skin of their teeth," says Clooney.

The refugees need "good, robust diplomacy all across the world," Clooney said. The Oscar-winner, a United Nations Messenger of Peace, said he asked Obama to appoint a full-time regional envoy who reports directly to the White House, and to ask China to set aside its business interests in the region and pressure Sudan to prevent atrocities.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Actor George Clooney pauses before a television interview on the North Lawn of the White House following his meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden yesterday. (AP Photo)

Actor George Clooney speaks to the media following his meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House yesterday. (AP Photo)

Actor George Clooney walks out of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, following his meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Actor George Clooney walks out of the West Wing of the White House following his meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden yesterday. (AP Photo)

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I don't think people should be going there and coming back and saying how it affected them. - George Clooney

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Clooney Talks Darfur With Obama