Musicians Protest Nato In Istanbul

ISTANBUL - A group of musicians held a demonstration on Saturday in front of Istanbul's Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall where the 49th Eurovision Song Contest will be held tonight.
Speaking on behalf of the 40-member group, Muzaffer Sevim from Vardiya Band, said that they did not want NATO and its representatives to convene in Turkey.
Referring to musicians who will represent NATO allied countries in the 49th Eurovision Song Contest, Sevim defended, ''those who are composing folk songs of a nation, are more powerful than those who make laws. Musicians should not be silent against laws. They should be sensitive and self-respecting against all kinds of acts of violence. Also, they should protest the United States, such a dirty war, massacre and NATO.''
After distributing a text entitled ''Crime Report of NATO'' to reporters and singing songs, the group members dispersed.
(UK-MS) 15.05.2004