STEVEN SPIELBERG - SPIELBERG + FARROW ROW OVER DARFUR

SPIELBERG + FARROW ROW OVER DARFUR

Legendary director STEVEN SPIELBERG has hit back at MIA FARROW after the actress accused him of supporting the Chinese funding of the genocide in Darfur. Farrow, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and human rights activist, is angry that Spielberg failed to turn down an invitation from the Chinese government to be an artistic advisor for the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Rosemary's Baby star insists the moviemaker should not get involved with China as the state has been accused of funding the war in the stricken West Sudanese state. She says, "It has been nearly a year since Mr. Spielberg contacted President Hu about Beijing's role in the Darfur genocide. Given the deteriorating situation on the ground, we hope that Mr. Spielberg will waste no more time - and officially distance himself from the Games." However, a representative for Spielberg has refuted Farrow's suggestions. Andy Spahn insists the director is doing all he can to help stop the atrocities in Darfur - even spearheading the campaign led by George Clooney and Don Cheadle to bring the world's attention to the crisis. He tells New York Post gossip column PageSix, "Steven left the set of his Indiana Jones movie to fly to New York to meet with the Chinese delegation. He is totally committed to stopping the genocide in Darfur."