ANKARA - Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have held a demonstration in Ankara's Kizilay Square to protest recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul.
Members of the NGOs under the pioneership of Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Turk-Is), Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-is), Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK), Union of Civil Servants, Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK), Union of Turkish Doctors (TTB) and Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) held the protest on Saturday to give the message, ''peace against acts of violence and terrorism''.
Speaking at the protest, TMMOB Chairman Kaya Guvenc said, ''we, as NGOs and citizens having human affection in their hearts, came together today to raise our voice against recent bombings in Istanbul claiming lives of our 52 people. Terrorism wants to silence and intimidate us. But, we will not allow it to achieve its target.''
''We want peace and democracy both in Turkey and in our region. We want occupation in Iraq to end. We want freedom for Palestine. Today, we meet in Kizilay Square by taking each other in the hand to defend peace against violence and terrorism; to pay our last tribute to those who lost their lives in these heinous attacks; to tell the wounded people that they are not alone; and to give the necessary response to those targeting brotherhood, peace, freedom, democracy and humanly values. Not terrorists, but those who are in favor of peace and democracy will be victorious in the future,'' he emphasized.
Members of NGOs carrying Turkish flags, carnations and banners in their hands chanted slogans condemning terrorism in all its forms.
Meanwhile, Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun gave Turkish flags to tradesmen in Kizilay.

NEARLY TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE GATHER IN ISTANBUL'S TAKSIM SQUARE
Nearly two thousand people have gathered in Istanbul's Taksim Square to protest recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul and to give the message, ''peace against acts of violence and terrorism.''
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) under the pioneership of Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Turk-Is), Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-is), Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK), Union of Civil Servants, Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK), Union of Turkish Doctors (TTB) and Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) held countrywide protests on Saturday.
Nearly two thousand people gathered in front of French Consulate General in Taksim Square, and observed a minute of silence out of respect to those who were killed in recent bombings.
During the protest a joint statement was read out, ''the world should realize that these attacks are consequences of secret policies of those who aimed at ruling the world and exploiting the humanity as they pleased. Unfortunately, innocent people have paid the price of these policies once again. If we describe ourselves as human beings, we cannot remain silent against these attacks and these policies laying beneath them. Silence will mean submission. Today, we tell the whole world that we will not submit to terrorism, we will not allow terrorists who want to silence and intimidate us. Today, we challenge by saying 'peace against acts of violence and terrorism'. We will raise our voice against all threats targeting our right to live, our freedoms and democracy. We will defeat hidden tricks of all double-standards inciting clashes and wreaking carnage in the world. Today, and every day, we will tell the world that we are ready for a free, democratic and peaceful world.''
Some demonstrators carrying Turkish flags in their hands, burst into tears.
Foreign press members have been in the square to cover the protest.
A total of 52 people were killed while more than a thousand others were injured in recent bomb attacks in Istanbul. Al-Qaida terrorist network has claimed responsibility for all four attacks.
(UK) 22.11.2003