Youssou N'Dour Cancels US Tour Over Threat of War

Youssou N'Dour has announced the cancellation of his seven-week tour of North America, originally scheduled for March 26-May 15. The 38-city tour was to be the most extensive series of performances in North America in his career.

Youssou N'Dour says, 'As a matter of conscience I question the United States government's apparent intention to commence war in Iraq and 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. I thus believe it is inappropriate to perform in the US at this juncture.'

'This is a matter of strong conviction for me. I understand that there are many in the US who do not support the idea of their government initiating war in Iraq at this time and I offer my greatest respect to them. I also regret the difficulties this causes those who were to present my concerts in North America and those who were looking forward to seeing me and my band. This tour was over a year and a half in the planning and was the greatest commitment I had ever made to performing in the US. It is my fervent wish to return to the US in better times. But I find it impossible to imagine playing concerts in America when such grave issues are confronting all the peoples of the world.'

From:
www.youssou.com

Contact:

Youssou NDour Head Office
Route des Almadies Parcelle
No.8 BP 1310
Dakar, Sénégal

Tel : 221-865-10-39
Fax : 221-865-10-68
Email : yncontact@yahoo.fr

• article submitted by: WOMEX