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Coke takes neutral stance on Olympic protests
Coke has communicated with some pro-Tibet groups and has plans to meet with at least one group. It would not comment about China's role in Tibet, but issued a general statement: "The Coca-Cola Co. joins others in expressing deep concern for the situation on the ground in Tibet. We know that all parties involved hope for a peaceful resolution...On Darfur, Coke said in an e-mail response that it has met with several organizations, including Dream for Darfur, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, to "listen, share our on-the-ground activities in Darfur and to explain what we feel is our appropriate role as a sponsor." The company said it has committed more than $7 million over the next three years for humanitarian efforts in Sudan. It also said it is working with the United Nations and the International Business Leaders Forum to arrange a series of meetings in Sudan between "civil society, business, local and national government bodies focused on doing business in zones of conflict."...Arvind Ganesan of New York-based Human Rights Watch said if corporations don't make "categorical statements [pushing for change on how Beijing is handling unrest in Tibet], we will probably be more public in our dialogue.