George to George W.: No War, Please

By Stephen M. Silverman

Monday February 24, 2003 01:07 PM EST

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George Clooney, who's wrapping up a tour of duty at the Berlin Film Festival, took to a German TV program over the weekend to escalate his criticism of George W. Bush's plans for Iraq.

The outspoken actor and director of "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," 41, said he fears that a war against Iraq is inevitable but will only lead to more violence.

"America's policies frustrate me," Clooney said in the ARD TV program "Beckmann."

"I think a war against Iraq is as unavoidable as it senseless. I think it's coming. But I also think the real danger is going to be what happens after it."

In earlier interviews with European papers, Reuters notes, Clooney accused the president of being a warmonger.

He's not the only American celebrity to do so. Such high-profile personalities as Martin Sheen, Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Dustin Hoffman, Madonna and director Spike Lee, while stressing their patriotism, have also spoken out against any impending war.

As Clooney said on TV: "You can't beat your enemy anymore through wars; instead you create an entire generation of people revenge-seeking.

"These days it only matters who's in charge. Right now that's us -- for a while at least. Our opponents are going to resort to car bombs and suicide attacks, because they have no other way to win."