Spielberg Exits Role as Olympics Advisor

WASHINGTON, February 13: Steven Spielberg is ending his stint as artistic advisor for the opening and closing
ceremonies of this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing, after failed attempts to
convince the Chinese government to play a greater role in ending the conflict
in Darfur.

In a statement, Spielberg
noted that “in anticipation that this day might one day come,” he had left the
contract with the Beijing Organizing Committee unsigned. “I have made repeated
efforts to encourage the Chinese government to use its unique influence to
bring safety and stability to the Darfur region of Sudan,” Spielberg noted.

He continued: “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. 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 to end the continuing human suffering
there. China’s economic, military and diplomatic ties to the government of
Sudan continue to provide it with the opportunity and obligation to press for
change. The situation has never been more precarious—and while China’s
representatives have conveyed to me that they are working to end the terrible
tragedy in Darfur, the grim realities of the suffering continue unabated.”

He concluded: “China has
much to offer the world and I have no doubt that its international
contributions will grow in the years ahead. With growing influence, however,
also comes growing responsibilities. As China welcomes the world to Beijing for
the 2008 Olympic Games, I hope to be among those in attendance; and it is also
my great hope that, with renewed and intensified efforts from China, there will
be peace and security in Darfur at last.”

—By Mansha Daswani