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One World concert cancelled Late last week SOU's One World Performance series' Maria Kelly issued a statement about the cancellation of the upcoming concert of Senegalese performing artist Youssou N'Dour's US tour. "It was with great shock and disappointment that we received the news of the cancellation of Youssou N'Dour's US tour," Kelly stated. "The scheduled performance on April 22 in Medford of this Senegalese superstar was considered one of the highlights of this season's One World Performing Arts. His entire seven-week, 38 city Spring 2003 tour was canceled due to the political tensions between the United States and the international Muslim community. It was to be the most extensive series of concerts in North America of his career." Describing the situation in N'Dour's country, she said, "Currently, there is a great outpouring of emotion in Senegal protesting the threat of war. He believes that in his position as one of Africa's most visible personalities, he serves as the cultural representative for many in Africa. This prospective role forces him to make this show of conscience." Youssou N'Dour states, "It is my strong conviction that the responsibility for disarming Iraq should rest with the United Nations. As a matter of conscience I question the United States government's apparent intention to commence war in Iraq. I believe that coming to America at this time would be perceived in many parts of the world - rightly or wrongly - as support for this policy, and that, as a consequence, it is inappropriate to perform in the US at this juncture. I find it impossible to imagine playing concerts in America when such grave issues are confronting all the peoples of the world." LINKS: REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. DAILY TIDINGS: Main | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -