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US to consider visa to Kobzon again

The United States will again consider whether to issue a visa to distinguished Russian veteran singer Iosif Kobzon

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

NEW YORK, April 28 (Itar-Tass) —— The United States will again consider whether to issue a visa to distinguished Russian veteran singer Iosif Kobzon who plans a farewell tour overseas. The People’s Artist of the Soviet Union who will turn 75 in September planned to give concerts in New York, Boston, and Chicago in May-June but was denied US visa this week after he was banned entry 18 years ago for alleged criminal connections.

The Russian-American Consulting Corporation, which organizes the tour, met US Department of State officials on Friday and requested to change the negative decision. The company said the meeting lasted for 40 minutes and the diplomats accepted the petition and said the visa issue for Kobzon will be again considered at the top level shortly.

On Friday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow will work to have the entry ban lifted for Kobzon who resolutely denied accusations of any criminal connections.

Tour organizers said there is still time up to May 10 to wait for a visa. “If the issue is not decided by the deadline there will be no tour,” Lev Trakhtenberg told Tass.

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