RICHARD GERE - GERE ADVISES INDIAN PROSTITUTES

Crusading actor RICHARD GERE has flown to India to advise local prostitutes how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. The Hollywood star - best known for falling in love with JULIA ROBERTS' hooker character in PRETTY WOMAN - cheered on thousands of Indian sex workers dancing to raunchy Bollywood songs in Mumbai earlier today (10JAN07), before issuing his stark warning. He chanted, "No condom, no sex. No condom, no sex. No condom, no sex." Gere also presented awards to sex workers in recognition of their work on various HIV/AIDS intervention programs. He said, "You're unique. This is amazing, an unbelievable experience. This is unfathomable. This will not happen in the US or Europe, or even in Asia." According to United Nations figures, 5.7 million Indians are living with HIV/AIDS, the largest caseload in the world.