Fonda Revives Hanoi Jane's Anti-fighting Spirit

The Age

Wednesday March 1, 2006

By JONATHON MORAN, SYDNEY

ACTOR and political activist Jane Fonda says coalition forces should leave Iraq, labelling the conflict disgusting and despicable.

Fonda, once dubbed Hanoi Jane for her opposition to America's role in the Vietnam War, said too many lives were being lost following an invasion of Iraq that was based on lies.

"I think it is a crime, a tragedy, disgusting and despicable," Fonda said in Sydney. "It is almost beyond comprehension how we could have been brought into this war based on lies and continue to lose so many lives, both American and Iraqi. It makes my skin crawl . . . my heart break."

Fonda attracted international headlines in 1972 when she was photographed sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun while on a tour of the country to drum up support to end the war.

"We haven't learnt our lessons," she said. "I have been spending time with Iraq veterans who have come back . . . their voices are the most important because the Bush Administration can't say they are unpatriotic.

"We have to support the ones who have been there who say this is wrong. What they are saying is, pull the troops out now."

Fonda is in Australia to promote her autobiography, My Life So Far. In the book, she writes about her troubles with bulimia, her marriages, children and life in the spotlight.

"When I turned 62 and was once again single and had really gone through some profound personal transformation, I came to a place where I could see the themes of my life," she said.

"I knew that if I could write it honestly, that it would resonate with other people and provide a road map for dealing with things like self image, relationships, parenting and things like that."

The book has been an international best seller.

Fonda said she enjoyed writing so much that she was considering turning to fiction.

"I feel something brewing in my belly; it might be a novel," she said. "I like writing and I think I am good at it."

The daughter of screen star Henry Fonda has won two Academy Awards, for Klute and Coming Home. Other films include Barbarella, Julia, A Doll's House and Nine to Five.

Fonda, about whom songwriter Randy Newman is writing an opera, came out of retirement for last year's Monster-In-Law, with Jennifer Lopez, and says she will make another film this year.

"It hasn't been announced so I can't say, but probably I will start in June," she said.

© 2006 The Age

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