Jennifer Lopez scraps Cyprus concert: report
(AFP) – 18 hours ago
LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Lopez has canceled a concert planned for the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus after criticism that the appearance would make a political statement, the entertainment website TMZ.com reported.
"Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse," a representative for the American singer and actress told TMZ on Thursday.
"After a full review of the relevant circumstances in Cyprus, it was the decision of management to withdraw from the appearance. This was a team decision that reflects our sensitivity to the political realities of the region."
Lopez was to perform July 24 at a new hotel and casino in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.
But the plans drew criticism, including from the US-based American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, which claimed the concert would lend credence to the 1974 invasion by Turkey, which resulted in a partition of the island.
Association president Nicholas Karacostas protested that Lopez's appearance would "be used to lend credence to an illegal entity recognized only by Turkey internationally, and that is unfortunate."
Cyprus has been divided since Turkey occupied the north in response to an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia aimed at uniting the Mediterranean island with Greece.
The TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) is only recognized by Turkey, which maintains troops on the Turkish Cypriot side, while the Greek Cypriot south of the island enjoys international recognition.
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