Pete The Chop

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Irish rock star Bono said here Tuesday he hoped the San Francisco leg of the Olympic torch relay would be trouble-free as he attended a pro-Tibet rally.

The U2 frontman told AFP on the sidelines of the event at United Nations Plaza that he hoped the furore surrounding the torch on its global relay would force China to address global concern over its actions in Tibet.

"I would like a peaceful outcome, for the torch tomorrow and in Tibet," Bono told an AFP reporter, comparing the debate over China's actions in Tibet to the issue of torture in the US government's "war on terror."

"I hope China takes this opportunity to address the issues," Bono said. "It's like waterboarding in the US; it's important to address the issues."

Around 800 people attended the peaceful rally in downtown San Francisco where a "Freedom Torch" was lit before activists flanked by around 20 police on each side began a march to the Chinese consulate.

San Francisco is preparing a heavy security presence in the city for the US leg of the troubled torch relay, which was severely disrupted by protesters in Paris on Monday.

Tags: Political News by Jonathan
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HOME TRUTHS: Stuart Townsend blasts Bono over star's failure to back Save Tara campaign

Relations between two of Ireland's most famous men are set to turn frosty after actor Stuart Townsend lashed out at U2 frontman Bono.

The Irish actor slammed the world-famous singer for failing to step up and help in the fight to save the Hill of Tara.

And to add insult to injury he went on to claim that the humanitarian was more interested in helping those overseas that in getting involved in campaigns in his native Ireland.

"I don't know why Bono hasn't gotten involved so far. Maybe it's because his focus is on Africa and heritage isn't his thing," the actor claimed.

Townsend made the remarks while enjoying a romantic weekend in Paris with his partner Charlize Theron.

The actor himself has long been involved in the campaign to save the ancient spot and halt construction of the controversial motorway.

Fight

And he went on to call on Bono to end his silence on the issue and join the fight.

"Things are really getting desperate now so we really need Bono to say something.

"He's Bono for God's sake, he's Irish and he lives in Ireland.

We really need someone of that magnitude to help," he added. Townsend said that the campaign was getting the backing of poet Seamus Heaney. The poet and Nobel laureate criticised the Taoiseach and the M3 project saying: "Bertie thinks his legacy is the Celtic Tiger and economic -- but his real legacy will be letting them put a motorway through Tara."

Last year Townsend and Theron visited the site and organised photo opportunities and interviews.

The actor revealed that it was causes like Tara that kept the couple so much in love.

"I suppose part of what attracts Charlize to me is that I'm a space cadet who likes going to places like Tara. She digs it," he said.

Townsend went on to praise student radical Lisa "Squeak" Feeney, describing the campaigner as a "hero" after she encased herself into a seven-metre underground pit for three days in a bid to halt further work near the ancient site.

"It's a sad reflection on the Irish Government that a young woman has to put her life on the line to protect what our Government should be protecting.

"I think people should join her and the other protestors and get involved...none of us have done enough to save Tara," he added.

© 2008 independent.ie.

Tags: Political News by Jonathan
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