Demonstrations Held In Ankara And Istanbul To Protest Initiative To Send Soldiers Abroad

ANKARA-ISTANBUL - Demonstrations were held in Ankara and Istanbul on Tuesday to protest the initiative of sending soldiers abroad.
A group of persons who were members of Labour Party (IP) convened on Sakarya Street in the afternoon, they shouted slogans against the U.S. telling that Turkey should not send soldiers to Iraq.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ali Kalan, a member of IP Central Committee said that the efforts to send soldiers to Iraq were dangerous, commenting that the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq.
The group later dispersed.
Meanwhile, a group of 30 persons who attempted to hold an illegal demonstration in Taksim Square were taken into custody.
Police warned the group not to release a public statement. When the group didn't abide by the call, police intervened with the group.
Police later detained the 30 persons.
(Öª-AÖ) 12.08.2003