OLIVER STONE - STONE TO DIRECT ANTI-IRAQ WAR AD

STONE TO DIRECT ANTI-IRAQ WAR AD

Oliver Stone is to direct a 30-second advertisement against the war in Iraq.

The three-time Oscar winner's opposition to the US' recent commitment of troops to Iraq is likely to foster further debate about the future of American forces in the Middle Eastern country.

Whereas some support president George Bush's policy of reinforcing US troops in an effort to resolve the unstable security situation in Iraq, others – including the Congress-dominating Democrat party – advocate troop withdrawals to end what they believe is a policy of backing failure.

Mr Stone belongs to the latter camp.

"America needs to listen to our servicemen and women," he said in a statement.

"We have leaders in Washington who say they're 'supporting our troops' - but the people who suffer most from their policies are the troops themselves.

"I decided to participate in this project because, as a veteran, I know that America needs to listen to our servicemen and women."

Mr Stone served in the Vietnam war, where he won the Purple Heart medal for being wounded in action.

The 30-second advertisement will feature an interview with victims of Iraqi servicemen and is being funded by campaign websites MoveOn.org and VoteVets.org.

Mr Stone's most recent films include the disappointingly-received Alexander and World Trade Center. Many of his movies have involved political themes, most notably in JFK (1991) and Nixon (1995).