Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez has now learned -- as numerous politicians and negotiators before her have found out -- that wading into the Cyprus issue leads to nothing but trouble.
Turns out the American star had agreed to perform (most likely for very big bucks) at the opening of a ritzy new casino and resort on the coast of northern Cyprus, otherwise known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a country only recognized by Turkey. Lopez's management probably imagined the difference between north and south Cyprus as being about the same as the difference between North and South Carolina, but they probably didn't imagine the kind of pressure the performer would come under from Greek and Cypriot groups opposed to her performing in the TRNC.
Now Lopez has informed the world that she will, in fact, not be going to Cyprus to perform in the north. As the gossip site TMZ.com reports:
.... a rep for Lopez tells TMZ, "Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse."
The rep added, "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."
Cyprus has been divided into Greek- and Turkish-speaking parts since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in the wake of a pro-Greece coup. Reunification talks are ongoing, but it's not clear if they will succeed. The talks' failure, meanwhile, could have a devastating effect on Turkey's bid to join the European Union. For more background, take a look at this previous Eurasianet article.
European courts have ruled Northern Cyprus must pay compensation to Greek Cypriots who lost their property when they had to flee the north in 1974, but the TRNC is not usually considered among the world's human rights abusers.
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