Jennifer Lopez scraps Turkish Cyprus concert after pressure

Jennifer Lopez has canceled a concert planned for Turkish Cyprus after criticism that the appearance would make a political statement, the entertainment website TMZ.com reported Thursday.

"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.

"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 northern Cyprus. But the plans drew criticism, including from the U.S.-based American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

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 intervened in response to an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia aimed at uniting the Mediterranean island with Greece.


/Hurriyet Daily News/