Turkish leftists demonstrate against EU

ISTANBUL, Dec 17 (AFP) - About 1,000 Turkish leftists demonstrated here Friday against Turkey's bid to join the European Union as the country's leaders bargained in Brussels to soften the conditions of an EU offer for accession talks.
The protestors, supporters of the small Turkish Communist Party, marched to the German consulate in downtown Istanbul, chanting anti-West slogans.
"No passage to the EU," "No to imperialism," read the banners they brandished.
The demonstrators also hung a large placard at a building neighboring the consulate, featuring a portrait of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and the inscription: We know your intentions, we won't allow it."
Small left-wing and far-right parties are traditionally opposed to Turkey's EU bid, which enjoys the support of around 75 percent of the population.

12/17/2004 12:41 GMT - AFP