Gere Urges Germany To Press China
U.S. film star Richard Gere on Monday urged Germany, which currently holds the European Union and G-8 presidencies, to press China about human rights and Tibet.
Gere, 57, a longtime advocate of the Tibetan cause, argued at a news conference that the twin presidency marks "a historic moment for Germany to step forward."
"This is a moment of great possibility for ... not just punishing but encouraging China to become part of the modern world," he said. "Tibet should be ever-present in any discussion with China."
China has exercised harsh rule over Tibet since communist troops marched into the country in 1950.Photos: Cinema For Peace Gala
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has publicly raised the broader issue of human rights with Chinese leaders, saying during a visit to Beijing last May that they are "an important issue of bilateral dialogue."
Gere was in the German capital for the annual Cinema for Peace gala, which runs alongside the Berlin film festival. It gathers together celebrities to raise funds for humanitarian organizations such as the U.N. Children's Fund.
Also attending was rock singer and anti-poverty campaigner Bob Geldof, who echoed Gere's call for action on China.
"It is probably the job of Germany this year, the privilege of Germany this year to embrace China into the international norms that are expected of behavior," Geldof said.