Green light

Green light

Anti-war protests are expected at the ceremony

The Oscars are to go ahead on Sunday, barring last-minute "extraordinary events" in the Iraqi conflict.

There had been speculation that organisers would call off the ceremony due to the outbreak of war.

But the show was set to take place, Academy president Frank Pierson told reporters at a press conference in Hollywood on Friday.

"At a time when US culture and values are under attack all over the world, we think it's more important than ever that we honour those achievements that reflect us and America at our best," he said.

Events in Iraq were being monitored hour by hour and the ceremony could still be postponed on the day itself, Mr Pierson said.

"The situation is so unpredictable that we want, like the president himself, to keep our options open and be flexible."

If the show went out, broadcaster ABC - which films the event - could still break away for news coverage, he added.

A shorter red carpet is in place this year

Despite fears of nominee boycotts, ceremony producer Gil Cates said stars were not dropping out "any more dramatically than any other year".

Ali star Will Smith, who was to present an Academy statuette, has been the highest profile star to pull out so far.

Some stars are now expected to use the worldwide platform of the show to protest against the Iraqi conflict.

Award presenters had been told to stick to their scripts, but winners had not been barred from making a comment, said Mr Pierson.

"That 45 seconds is theirs, they have earned it. What they do with it is up to their conscience," he said.

Actors including Dustin Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Jim Carrey, Ben Affleck, Michael Moore and Kirsten Dunst are to show their opposition to the war by wearing a specially designed peace sign pin on the night.

Reduced red carpet

Others plan to wear a peace dove or a piece of duct tape on their gowns or tuxedos.

Duct tape became a tongue-in-cheek symbol of protest after the US Government advised people to buy it in case of chemical or biological attack.

Anti-war protestors in Hollywood have said they are planning a rally to coincide with the ceremony to honour those in the entertainment industry who have spoken out for peace.

The awards organisers had earlier announced plans to drastically scale back the red carpet area to avoid appearing out of step with the international mood.

But the entrance area was being prepared with a shorter red carpet, giant Oscar statuettes and tubs of plants and flowers on Friday.

A National Guard unit has been assigned to protect the ceremony amid planned anti-war protests.

'Safe and secure'

The unit will be equipped with a mobile testing laboratory to detect a chemical or biological threat.

"I can say the Academy Awards will be as safe and secure as any awards ceremony ever held," said California governor Gray Davis.

Space will be made outside the Kodak Theatre for about 2,000 peace campaigners, who plan to assemble two hours before the ceremony starts, police confirmed.

But organisers say they expect "several thousand" protestors to turn up.

Dame Elizabeth will retire from films at Sunday's ceremony

The Oscar ceremony, organised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has never been cancelled in its 75-year history but has been postponed three times.

The first was in 1938 because of floods in Los Angeles, the second in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, and the third at four hours notice after the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor has announced she will bow out from the film industry at Sunday's ceremony.

The 71-year-old double Academy Award winner says she intends to focus instead on Aids activism.