ELIZABETH TAYLOR - TAYLOR CALLS FOR STRIKING WRITERS TO TAKE A NIGHT OFF

ELIZABETH TAYLOR is convinced she can end the Hollywood writer's strike - because protestors wouldn't dare hold up her AIDS benefit performance of A.R. GURNEY's play LOVE LETTERS next month (Dec07). Taylor insists striking TV and film writers will put down their picket signs on the Paramount Pictures lot as a mark of respect to the aged actress. But the 75-year-old star says she won't cross picket lines if they are still up around the Paramount lot. She wants protestors to put down their placards for one night, so that she and her celebrity friends can raise money for AIDS research with a clear conscience on 1 December (07), World Aids Day. In a statement, Taylor says, "The Writers Guild Of America has shown great humanity, empathy and courage by allowing our little evening to move forward." But she insists she's thoroughly behind the striking writers: "Without the gifts of writers, the world would be rather empty. I beseech those in power to treat members of the Writers Guild Of America with fairness and decency." Writers and studios are scheduled to resume contract talks next week (26Nov07). The strike began on 5 November (07). Taylor and James Earl Jones will appear in the charity performance of Love Letters.