Genocide Press Conference

In the Gala Room at the Burbank airport Hilton, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger turned toward a table with the words "Fighting Genocide" on a sign. He said, "Now let's get some action going and sign these bills."

More than a dozen cameras rolled. He sat down, picked up a pen and began scribbling on the bills, which would require the state's largest pension funds to divest in any companies that do business with the Sudanese government.

He handed a pen and a copy of the legislation to Don Cheadle, the "Hotel Rwanda" and "Ocean's 11" actor who has been an activist in the push to end the genocide in Darfur. The conflict has claimed an estimated 400,000 lives.

"Does this count as a gift basket, or do I have to complain?" Cheadle joked with the governor, a reference to the lavish goodie baskets routinely given away at Hollywood galas.

Actor George Clooney received another pen and bill and smiled. The governor told the assembled media, including E! Entertainment news, that "California does not stand for murder and genocide." Schwarzenegger introduced Clooney by mentioning they starred together in "Batman & Robin."

"Selling DVDs," Schwarzenegger said.

"The last time I was onstage with Gov. Schwarzenegger," Clooney said, "he was playing Mr. Freeze and I was Batman. He's gone on to be governor and I still think I'm Batman."

Cheadle had heard the legislation "was in trouble" a week ago, that perhaps the governor would not sign it. He was with Clooney on the set of "Ocean's 13." They went to Clooney's hotel room and called the governor. Turned out what they heard was wrong. The governor would sign the legislation.

Cheadle said the legislation Schwarzenegger signed would send a message to other states and the rest of the world that powerful, wealthy California would stand up to genocide. "No bombers necessary for this one," he said.

The press conference attracted a documentary film crew working for producer Cathy Schulman, who did "Crash." Schulman and director Ted Braun are following Cheadle and two Darfur activists, Adam Sterling and Jason Miller. Schulman said Cheadle made her passionate about the subject while working together on "Crash."

"Just being around him you can't help but want to fight," Schulman said.

Sterling had this to say: "To the government of Sudan: We are going after you, state by state, pension fund by pension fund." Miller, his associate, said Phil Angelides has been "terrific" about working to end ties with Sudan as a member of the CalPERS board.

Schwarzenegger's own friends have major investments in companies that do business in Sudan. Financier Warren Buffett, who endorsed the governor Monday and has been an advisor, owns an estimated $2.7 billion worth of PetroChina stock through Berkshire Hathaway. It's the largest individual investor in the Chinese oil company, which does business in Sudan.

Miller said he would ask Schwarzenegger about Buffett, only later. Schwarzenegger did not take questions, but Clooney and Cheadle stuck around. Television reporters wanted to know if Clooney was running for office in 2008.

"Believe me, you don't want me in politics," he said.

CalPERS, the state's huge public pension fund, estimated it would cost about $1.9 million to fully divest from the country. But the legislation allows it to do a full assessment of investments. The state teacher retirement fund, according to Assemblyman Paul Koretz, author of the legislation, has about 20 million shares in PetroChina.

A Schwarzenegger aide brought the bills down to the signing in her handbag.

(Photos: Robert Salladay / LAT)