March 21, 2003	Friday	Muharram 17, 1424

HOLLYWOOD, March 20: US movie star Will Smith on Thursday became the first Hollywood celebrity to pull out of this year’s wartime Oscars, saying he would feel uneasy appearing at the event.

Smith, who was to have presented an example of the cinema industry’s most prestigious honour at Sunday’s ceremony made his decision not to go the event after US forces launched attacks on Iraq on Thursday.

“He has respectfully asked not to be a part of the programme,” the star’s publicist said.—AFP