Several hundred people demonstrated in Ankara yesterday amid tight security measures against US policies in the Middle East and the occupation of Iraq ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. About 100 riot police, some armed with automatic rifles, cordoned off the US embassy in downtown Ankara, deploying armoured vehicles to guard the building. "No to war. US, get out of the Middle East. Rice, get out of Turkey," said a large banner at the head of the procession of some 300 demonstrators. | "Get out of Turkey"? Hey, not a bad idea. You can invite the French in to protect your interests. |
Security forces stopped the crowd from marching to the embassy, although it allowed several of their members to lay a black wreath outside the mission. Earlier in the day, a smaller group also demonstrated near the mission. "Murderer Rice, get out of Turkey," their banners read. "The Iraqi people are not alone," "Down with US imperialism," the protesters chanted. | Cheez, they musta cobbed some left-over banners from the 1980's. |
No incidents were reported. Rice was to arrive in Ankara for a two-day visit expected to focus on Turkish concerns over the situation in neighbouring Iraq. |