Pavarotti, Bono To Sing For Iraqi Refugees (the United Nations said today)

billboard ^ | 4/8/2003 | reuters

[TLBSHOW]

Pavarotti, Bono To Sing For Iraqi Refugees

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti and U2 frontman Bono will team up on stage next month to raise funds to help Iraqis uprooted by the war, the United Nations refugee agency said today (April 8). The concert is set for May 27 in Modena, northern Italy, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Pavarotti and Bono previously performed together in 1995 to raise funds for child victims of the war in Bosnia.

Pavarotti, a peace messenger for U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, has dedicated his last three annual Modena charity concerts to help UNHCR aid some 20 million refugees worldwide.

"Proceeds from this year's event will go to UNHCR's work on behalf of people affected by the Iraq conflict," the statement said. "Even though very few Iraqis left their country during the first three weeks of the conflict, aid officials warn that it is too early to dismiss the danger of a refugee crisis."

Only a trickle of Iraqis have crossed into neighboring countries, mainly Jordan and Syria, according to UNHCR, which has shelter and other emergency supplies in place ready to receive up to 350,000 people.

Bono toured Africa last May with then U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, to highlight the need for effective development and awareness of the ravages of AIDS on the continent. In 1995, U2 and Pavarotti teamed up to record the song "Miss Sarajevo," which appeared on the album "Passengers: Original Soundtracks 1."

[try phecta tom]

Not to sound unsympathetic to life in general over there, but, Are there any 'refugees' yet?

[3AngelaD]

Yes. The U.N. has found an appropriate role for itself in arranging concerts featuring Felix and Oscar. (I am a huge Pavarotti fan and am annoyed to no end when he sings with people who do not have his vocal stature.) They should be able to pull this off without a veto. Meanwhile, you gotta wonder about a charity event for a people who are sitting on one of the world's largest oil reserves.

[try phecta tom]

Do you think the U.N.could get the Dixie chicks to sing as well?

[TLBSHOW]

Only a trickle


of Iraqis have crossed into neighboring countries, mainly Jordan and Syria, according to UNHCR, which has shelter and other emergency supplies in place ready to receive up to 350,000 people.

[TLBSHOW]

and Madonna?

Madonna Takes Life In Front Of The Cameras

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1859964

[lainie]

proceeds will go to "U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.." guaranteeing that most of it will end up in Manhattan taxi companies and restaurants.

[1Old Pro]

How much will they raise? 1,2,3 million? If they really believed in this cause they would save time and write a personal check right now.