Envoys Ineffective Against Genocide

In “Obama’s Opportunity to Help Africa,” George Clooney, David Pressman and John Pendergast (op-ed, Nov. 21) present a great script based on wishful thinking. Absent in their options is a military one. Negotiations with leaders who either encourage or turn a blind eye to genocide have never worked.

Barack Obama could follow John McCain’s advice to form a “concert of democracies” instead of relying on the feckless U.N. An Obama-led coalition of military strength could reinforce the meaning of “never again.”

Mr. Clooney should be applauded for his work on African genocide. With that in mind, his next movie should include the true drama of the heroes who stood up to the evils of genocide. Research should show him that no genocide has ever been stopped by sending “high-level envoys.”

Jonathan J. Paull
Houston

All of us at Concern Worldwide heartily welcome the call by Messrs. Clooney, Pressman and Pendergast for Barack Obama to devote significant attention to resolving conflicts in Sudan and Congo. A concerted international diplomatic effort with real teeth is much overdue.

However, we must bear in mind that the resolution of conflict often results in the end of public and donor interest, or at least a significant drop off. Our years of experience working in post-conflict environments demonstrate that diplomatic accords in and of themselves are not sufficient. They must be backed up with substantial financial commitments to build a country’s infrastructure and to ensure that basic services are restored.

What happens when refugees and displaced people return home is rarely considered or budgeted for. The to-do list for recovery and rehabilitation is no less challenging, no less important, and certainly not any cheaper than the humanitarian aid required while conflicts rage.

Siobhan Walsh
Executive Director
Concern Worldwide U.S.
New York

Stars’ policy wonks may be D.C.-bound to join Obama administration

Sources say David Pressman and John Prendergast are eyeing a return to government service.
By Tina Daunt

November 28, 2008

When their party was out of power, Democratic policy experts — particularly foreign policy wonks — had to resign themselves to stodgy exile in dreary think tanks. The highlight of the week? Somebody reading his or her memo on the Bulgarian exchange rates. And afterward, questions.

But that was before Hollywood stars added foreign policy advisors to the entourage.

Consider the cases of David Pressman and John Prendergast. Pressman has a job that more than 50% of the world’s population — that’s the female share — would die for. He serves as George Clooney’s expert on the cause closest to the star’s heart, Darfur. (Talk about access.)

Pressman, who worked in the Clinton State Department under Madeleine Albright,has arranged personal trips by the superstar into the war zone. (Pressman once pushed the barrel of a young soldier’s gun out of Clooney’s face on a trip to Sudan. He’s still accepting words of thanks from fans near and far.)

Meanwhile, Prendergast, another Clinton administration alum, has taken such celebs as Angelina Jolie, Don Cheadle and Tracy McGrady into that most troubled continent of Africa to meet with refugees displaced by various wars. And during the presidential campaign, he volunteered his time, accompanying actress Maria Bello on the stump for Barack Obama.

Now, with Obama headed for the White House and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton bound for Foggy Bottom, sources say Pressman and Prendergast are eyeing a return to government service.

And they’re not the only ones who might give up their glitzy private sector jobs to go back into the Capitol trenches.

“I’m struck by how many people from around the country who have previously served are willing to give up their careers and make personal sacrifices to return to public service,” said Michael Feldman, an advisor to former Vice President Al Gore. “That says a lot about the historic nature of the incoming administration and speaks volumes about momentous challenges that this country now faces.”

If things work out the way some in Hollywood hope, celebs will also have a place in the Obama administration as, perhaps, goodwill ambassadors.

The United Nations’ program — which has previously enlisted such celebs as Jolie, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton and Giorgio Armani to draw attention to humanitarian and human rights causes around the world — could be used as the model, according to one source.

Imagine politically involved Hollywood stars, like Matt Damon or Brad Pitt, working as roving domestic and international representatives for the U.S. government. Or just imagine this: Sean Penn on a mission to North Korea. (Everyone says Kim Jong Il loves the movies. And there’s nothing Penn, who recently interviewed Raul Castro, likes better than an international pariah).

Source

By George Clooney, David Pressman and John Prendergast: Obama’s Opportunity to Help Africa

Given the daunting challenges before him, it would be unsurprising if bringing peace to Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo was not at the top of Barack Obama’s list of early priorities. But it should be. Not only because Sudan and Congo are the two deadliest wars in the world, but because they are wars that the Obama administration could actually help end.

The war in Congo alone has led to more deaths than any war, anywhere, since the Holocaust. Five million people have died there in the last decade. The wars in Sudan over the last two decades — both in the south and in Darfur — have cost the lives of more than 2.5 million people. The number of those driven from their homes is in the millions. Two of Africa’s richest countries in natural resources have reduced most of their citizens to abject poverty.

Unlike Afghanistan and Iraq, Sudan and Congo garner only occasional attention and sporadic diplomatic action. When the bodies start to pile up, diplomats from around the world descend upon Khartoum and Kinshasa. But this type of emergency diplomacy has left the root causes of conflict unaddressed and has allowed them to fester.

In both wars, government soldiers, militias and rebels ruthlessly deploy rape as a weapon of war. We have met with Congolese women who have been gang-raped, had their lips cut off to prevent them from speaking, and who were then set on fire. Sudanese women tell similar stories.

Rahm Emanuel, the newly minted White House chief of staff, recently reminded us that in the midst of crisis, there is great opportunity. For Congo and Sudan, we see three big reasons for hope.

The first is China. Because of China’s nearly $9 billion investment in the oil sector in Sudan, and recent $5 billion deal for Congolese minerals, China increasingly has a vested interest in peace and stability in these two countries. President Obama could send a powerful message and take a meaningful step by sending a high-level envoy to Beijing, early in his first 100 days, to explore ways to work together to help bring peace to these African countries. With all that divides the U.S. and China, these are issues we can and should unite on.

The second reason for hope is the president-elect himself. Mr. Obama has offered the world a renewed American commitment to global citizenship. In both Congo and Sudan, as is the case in countries around the world, there is an extraordinary eagerness to see this global phenomenon engage positively in their crises. However intangible, the president-elect’s ability to inspire and lead is as real as any other point of leverage. He can make the case for peace to those controlling the flow of money and munitions into Congo and Sudan. And he can raise the cost of continuing the status quo through multilateral measures to economically and politically isolate the spoilers.

The third reason for hope may be the most potent of all. The American public, especially our younger generation, is increasingly interested in what happens outside of our borders, and particularly in Africa. While we have each participated in our own way in building an advocacy movement around Darfur, it has been the high-school and college students who have made Darfur a political issue too important to be ignored, and who are now preparing similar campaigns for Congo. It is these same young Americans who voted in large numbers for the new president. They are now ready to be led by a President Obama to build a safer world and a safer Africa.

Investing in the resolution of the conflicts in Congo and Sudan will be much cheaper than continuing to spend billions of dollars a year on humanitarian aid and observer forces. These band-aids are expensive substitutes for the real solutions that come from rolling up our sleeves and building an international coalition committed to addressing the root causes of conflict in a serious and sustained manner. President-elect Obama has a chance to help build an international coalition to end the two biggest wars in the world. He should seize it.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Celebrities react to Obama’s Win

Oprah Winfrey has long been Barack Obama’s No. 1 fan, so it’s no surprise she wasted little time in speaking out about the Democrat’s historic victory Tuesday night.

“It feels like hope won,” the TV icon told Britain’s BBC. “It feels like there’s a shift in consciousness. It feels like something really big and bold has happened here, like nothing ever in our lifetimes did we expect this to happen.”

The talk-show host was on hand in Chicago to watch Obama’s victory speech, along with Brad Pitt and Jesse Jackson.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Courteney Cox and hubby David Arquette hosted a Barack Obama victory party Tuesday night at their Beverly Hills home, E! Online reports. Jennifer Aniston, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher were reportedly among the guests.

Celebrities React

Other celebrities were also quick to sing the praises of the President-elect, who won a decisive victory over John McCain, becoming the first-ever African-American to claim the White House. Here’s a sampling:

• Actor George Clooney: “I congratulate President-elect Obama on his historic victory, and now it’s time to begin unifying the country so we can take on the extraordinary challenges that this generation faces.”

• Singer Usher: “This will go down in history, in black history, for all of the sacrifices that the great Joseph Lowery and Martin Luther King made, this actually pays off for their sacrifice. … I’m speechless. I don’t even know what to say.”

• Music mogul Diddy: “I felt like my vote was the vote that put him into office. … And that may not be true but that’s how much power it felt like I had.”

• Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz to PEOPLE: “My parents met working for [Obama's running mate on one of his early campaigns]. If it weren’t for Joe Biden, I would not exist as a human being. … I am proud to be a part of history in the making.”

• Former Secretary of State Colin Powell: “We’re very, very proud to have a new American President who also happens to be African-American … As I watched [the news anchors call the election] – pretty moving moment. Everybody cried … I am overjoyed.”

Source

Atlantic Eye: Eight hours with George Clooney

By MARC S. ELLENBOGEN

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 12 (UPI) — He was born in Lexington, Ky., and is one of the world’s great leading men. He won an Oscar and Golden Globe for his role in “Syriana.” He received critical acclaim for “Good Night and Good Luck.” He is thoughtful, intellectually curious and very likable.

On an evening in Geneva, Switzerland, one week ago, Charles and Vera Adams — Charles is co-chairman of the Democratic Expat Leadership Council — hosted a fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama’s Victory Fund at which George Clooney awed 40 guests. Of all the evening’s impressive elements, one stood out: Clooney is remarkably down-to-earth and supremely approachable.

The paparazzi buzzed about outside as I arrived late from Prague at 19:45. In a funny twist, I had been greeted at Geneva Airport by a poster with Clooney advertising Nespresso coffee products. Clooney had given a public speech to U.S. citizens earlier in the day. Evidently even there, the paparazzi were already being obnoxious. I smiled politely as I was ushered up the stairs at Rue de L’eveche, the Adams’ grand flat overlooking historic Geneva.

A mixture of U.S. citizens had arrived from near and far for a one-time opportunity. They included an owner of private universities, a former senior director of Goldman Sachs, the international chair of Democrats Abroad, a selection of attorneys, a vice president of Deutsche Bank in New York, some entrepreneurs and management consultants. All were serious individuals interested in public policy.

We Americans abroad live in the netherworld between our citizenship and where we live our daily lives. We are the first to feel the effect of U.S. foreign policy. We are the first to be approached by non-Americans asking why? We are the ones who mend fences, defend the integrity of our nation and feel the heat of anti-Americanism long before our brethren in the United States.

On this evening, many topics were covered. They ranged from Iraq to Iran, from the Middle East to the Korean Peninsula, from Sarah Palin to Joe Biden, from human rights and engagement to military intervention. We covered Rwanda, Somalia and Zimbabwe. There was plenty of disagreement in the room. But on one issue there was complete agreement — the Bush administration has left a disastrous legacy in foreign affairs.

I, as often, held the most conservative views on our military involvement in Iraq. I argued that we needed more troops from the get-go and that the surge should have included more troops. In fact, Gen. Petraeus did ask for 100,000 troops, but Bush gave him only 20,000 (see my column of July 17, 2007, “Twisting the Shadow of 9/11″). I criticized the strategy of removing all the bureaucracy in Iraq — we should have removed the top, but left midlevel bureaucrats, police, teachers, professors and military in place.

The United States should have negotiated much earlier with Syria, Iran and especially the tribal leaders in the area. Mostly though, it was a huge mistake to approach Iraq as though it were a junior Marshall Plan. Had we approached Iraq with the same practicality with which we approached Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of communism, it probably would not have become the disaster it has. We certainly would have had far fewer casualties.

Clooney asked several questions about Iraq. He was given many answers. He showed great passion in all of his answers and statements. I respect George; you can have an impressive temperament if someone rubs you the wrong way. Maybe that is why we engaged in a series of tete-a-tetes. In good Oxford Union tradition, they were substantive, respectful and passionate.

The selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate was debated. Only a handful of us felt she was a brilliant strategic choice and would cause problems for the Democratic ticket. I think the past weeks have shown the few of us to be correct — at least so far.

During a private moment, I asked Clooney how he had prepared for his role in the late-2005-released “Syriana.” For those who have not seen the film, “Syriana” takes place in the Middle East. Clooney plays a CIA operative in a political thriller — the interplay between energy security, oil, illegal arms trafficking, assassination and the political interests of the United States in the region. Coincidentally, Matt Damon plays one of the leads as an energy analyst who lives in Geneva.

I had seen the film with some of my spook friends in early 2006. They were very impressed with Clooney’s portrayal of Bob Barnes, his CIA character in the movie. Clooney, in fact, had been briefed and prepared by former and current agency folks. It was a two-month intense process. It was, he said, “somewhat unorthodox but effective.”

George Clooney is the proof that you can be named the “Sexiest Man in the World” by several respected periodicals, be the heartthrob of young and old and still keep your bodenhaftung — one’s feet firmly on the ground.

I liked George Clooney, not only because we established a good rapport, but because he genuinely cares about the state of the world and the reputation of the United States in it.

As we commemorate the seventh anniversary of Sept. 11, I can write with conviction that our planet would certainly benefit from more folks like you.

–

(UPI International Columnist Marc S. Ellenbogen is chairman of the Berlin, Copenhagen and Sydney-based Global Panel Foundation and president of the Prague Society. He is a vice chairman of the Democratic Expat Leadership Council.)

Source: LINK

Clooney Obama fundraiser a sell-out

Clooney Obama fundraiser a sell-out
Sep 3, 2008 11:32 AM

George Clooney has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for US presidential candidate Barack Obama by headlining an exclusive event for Americans in Geneva, one of the world’s most affluent cities.

The Hollywood actor and director, fresh from the world premiere of the Coen brothers’ comedy Burn After Reading in Venice, slipped without fanfare into the Swiss city for his first appearance on behalf of the Democratic nominee.

Dressed in a black suit and tie, Clooney signed autographs but did not comment as he squeezed his way past fans gathered in the narrow streets of Geneva.

Some 170 contributors paid $1,000 a head to hear him speak at a cocktail party held at a museum in Geneva’s Old Town.

And 75 high-rolling supporters spent $10,000 each to attend an intimate seated dinner with the 47-year-old star which followed at the organiser’s nearby apartment, according to the American lawyer who set up the twin private events.

“Mr Clooney gave an excellent speech tonight; it was very stirring and moving. Barack Obama is the right person to repair our relations with the rest of the world,” an American man told Reuters Television as he left the cocktail on his way to the dinner.

An American woman said of Clooney’s remarks: “Everybody who was there was already fired up, but it only sort of affirmed what we believe already. He definitely had his talking points down, with great deliveries. He was very funny.”

Source: LINK

Clooney’s Obama fundraiser in Geneva a sellout

Clooney’s Obama fundraiser in Geneva a sellout
By Stephanie Nebehay
Reuters
Tuesday, September 2, 2008; 11:36 AM

GENEVA (Reuters) - George Clooney has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama by headlining an exclusive event for Americans in Geneva, one of the world’s most affluent cities.

The Hollywood actor and director, fresh from the world premiere of the Coen brothers’ comedy “Burn After Reading” in Venice, slipped without fanfare into the Swiss city on Tuesday for his first appearance on behalf of the Democratic nominee.

Some 170 contributors have paid $1,000 a head to attend a cocktail party with Clooney at a museum in Geneva’s Old Town on Tuesday evening.

Read more

Venice Chatter

Clooney Vows To Remain Childless

Hollywood hunk George Clooney has vowed never to have children, because he is too impatient to care for them.  Clooney admires pals Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s relationship with their kids, but confesses he could not cope with the drain on his time. He tells the U.K.’s Mirror, “I couldn’t do what Brad and Angie are doing. I wouldn’t have the patience or dedication you need to take care of a family. I admire those qualities in other people but it’s not for me.” And famed bachelor Clooney insists he is happy being single and has no plans to settle down.  He adds: “I’m doing exactly what I want to. I hang out with the same friends, I spend time in Italy, and then I go back to work. I try not to worry about anything else.”

Source: LINK

GEORGE CLOONEY - CLOONEY RULES OUT BOTOX

Actor GEORGE CLOONEY never wants to have cosmetic surgery to maintain his youth - because his age lines have given him more “character”.  The 47-year-old star insists he hates the thought of having injections simply to appease youth-obsessed Hollywood, and has even grown to love his looks as he gets older.
He says, “I don’t mind it (ageing) a bit. I love my gray hair. I love the fact that my face has more of an edge and more character than it did when I was in my 20s or 30s. No Botox for me.”

Source: LINK

Reunited: George Clooney shows he still has soft spot for old friend Mariella Frostrup

Proving that some celebrity friendships can go the distance, George Clooney warmly greeted Mariella Frostrup at the Venice Film Festival.   The pair met at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999. TV presenter Frostrup, 45, who is happily married with two children, was snapped deep in conversation with Clooney, 47.

Confirmed bachelor Clooney has been on the singles market since he split from his cocktail waitress girlfriend Sarah Larson, earlier this year.   But speaking at the Venice Film Festival, the 47-year-old actor said he wasn’t ready to settle down and have children.   ‘I couldn’t do what Brad and Angie are doing. I wouldn’t have the patience or dedication you need to take care of a family,’ he said.

‘I admire those qualities in other people but it’s not for me. I’m doing exactly what I want to.’
He was in Italy to promote Burn After Reading, in which he stars as CIA agent Harry Pfarrer, a hypochondriac philanderer. The first Coen Brothers film since their Oscar-winning No Country For Old Men, Burn After Reading also stars Brad Pitt.

The film won critics’ praise following its premiere in Venice last night. The Guardian’s Andrew Pulver said it was ‘fast-moving’ with ‘lots of attitude… uncorking a killer punch when it can’.   It will be competing with 20 other movies for the coveted Golden Lion this year, with entries from Ethiopia and Turkey.   Meanwhile Clooney and the stars are expected to come out in force tonight for the world premiere of a film about the Italian couture king, Valentino.

Source: LINK

George Clooney distances himself from Obama’s A-list cheerleaders

The manner of George Clooney’s arrival at the Venice Film Festival yesterday - in a slick-looking speedboat, hair blowing in the wind - might have even made a Doge blush. However, the suave old silver fox would not want anyone thinking that he is not a serious type, and so, soon after he hit terra firma, he turned his attention to the presidential race, taking a swipe at the Hollywood A-listers who have become cheerleaders for the Barack Obama bandwagon.
Clooney (right) didn’t mention them by name, but his remarks were clearly directed at fellow thespians Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon, Anne Hathaway and director Spike Lee, all of whom have descended on Denver, Colorado for the Democratic convention. Asked by reporters if he would have liked to attend, Clooney replied: “I like watching conventions on television. I think the stars there should be the people who have been elected.”

Perhaps he was trying to dampen any further speculation about his friendship with Obama - only last week he was forced to deny that he’d been sending the senator texts about body posture and presentation. Whatever the extent of the relationship, Clooney was cool in his appraisal of an Obama administration, saying that while he was “optimistic” he was also “worried” about what the future might hold.

Lest we forget, the 47-year-old star is in Venice to present his latest movie, Burn After Reading, in which he stars with Brad Pitt (left) and Tilda Swinton (centre). No doubt infected by Clooney’s reservations, Pitt was similarly reticent when asked about the Democratic candidate, saying only that it was a “vital time”.

Source: LINK

Spot George, Win a million.

Penny Parker over at Rocky Mountain News got the definite denial from Stan on whether or not George will be at the Democratic Convention. Not that we hadn’t already figured that one out … but I love Stan’s Statement. Seems fitting with George’s own recent statement concerning him advising Democratic Candidate Obama.

Get over it: Heartthrob Clooney not coming to Denver

Let this be the last time we discuss this…heartthrob actor and big-time Dem George Clooney is not, I repeat, is not coming to Denver during the DNC. I told you this weeks ago when his publicist Stan Rosenfield, principal at Stan Rosenfield & Associates in L.A., told me that Clooney was definitely not going to make an appearance here this week.

But, no. So many of you didn’t believe me and kept sending me reports of Clooney staying here, eating there, hosting parties everywhere. So, I e-mailed Rosenfield, who’s out of the country, just to make sure the movie star’s plans hadn’t changed.

“You spot him there and I’ll give you a million dollars,” Rosenfield e-mailed back. That’s got to be the quote of the day…if not the week.

Source: LINK

George Clooney Shoots Down Rumors He Is Advising Barack Obama

George Clooney is many things – an actor, an Oscar winner, a dapper gentleman and an activist — but there’s one thing he definitely is not – an advisor to Barack Obama’s.The actor issued a statement on Tuesday night, debunking a story out of Britain, claiming the “Ocean’s Thirteen” star has been advising the presidential hopeful on policy issues.

“I have never texted or emailed Senator Obama,” Clooney said in a statement to Access Hollywood. “And I’ll offer a million dollars to anyone who could prove otherwise.”

Clooney’s statement was issued as a result of a story that appeared in Monday’s Daily Mail newspaper, claiming he gave his “good friend Obama” advice on a host of issues.

Sources the paper described as “Democratic Party insiders” claimed the two were more than casual acquaintances.

“They are extremely close. A number of members of the Hollywood community, including Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, offered to help raise funds for Barack but it was with George that he struck up this amazing affinity,” the source claimed in the Mail. “‘George has been giving him advice on things such as presentation, public speaking and body language and he also emails him constantly about policy, especially the Middle East.”

Clooney refuted the story, noting he has had very little contact with Obama recently.

“I’ve only talked to the Senator once in the last year and a half… on the phone. I’ve spent more time with Senator McCain (he did my TV show) then I have with Senator Obama,” Clooney’s statement continued. “I would hope that my friend John McCain would join me in condemning this kind of politics. Although I support Senator Obama I would never be dumb enough to offer policy advice to either candidate. They seem to be doing fine without me.”

Ben LaBolt, a spokesperson for Obama also criticized the article, telling Fox News it was “an inaccurate report.”

Source: LINK

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