Steven Spielberg Steps Down As Olympic Advisor Over Darfur Drama....

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has quit as artistic advisor to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.The Oscar winner announced his decision on Tuesday (12Feb08), accusing China of not doing enough to help end the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.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."Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more".Earlier on Tuesday, campaigners including actress Mia Farrow had sent a letter to China's president via the United Nations, asking him to sever ties with Sudan - a country that sells China two-thirds of its oil.

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