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Over 100,000 pro-secularist protesters turn up in Turkey

  • 29-04-2007 5:16pm
    #1
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭


    http://www.startribune.com/722/story/1151670.html
    http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9E800CFC-AE37-4B67-BF03-B46EFDE1E0C0.htm
    SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2007
    14:22 MECCA TIME, 11:22 GMT
    Second pro-secular demo in Turkey
    Thousands rallied in Istanbul to protest against the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan

    Thousands of secular Turks have protested in Istanbul against the government, which has been criticised by the military for allegedly tolerating radical Islamic activity.

    Sunday's protest comes after 300,000 pro-secular Turks demonstrated in Ankara two weeks ago, and highlights widening divisions between Turkey's secular and Islamist camps.

    "Turkey is secular and will remain secular," protesters shouted, demanding the resignation of the government headed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister.

    Television footage showed a sea of red flags in the packed meeting area in Caglayan district, which was cordoned off by police.

    The rally came a day after Erdogan's government rejected a warning from the military over the country's disputed presidential election, calling its interference unacceptable.

    Abdullah Gul, Turkey's foreign minister and election candidate for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on Sunday he would not withdraw his candidacy after he failed to win a first-round victory in a parliamentary vote on Friday.

    "It is out of the question for me to withdraw my candidacy in any way," he said.

    Although Gul is the sole candidate in the election, he missed out on election in Friday's vote due to a boycott by opposition groups who object to Gul's alleged Islamist past.

    The result of the vote prompted a military statement that some interpreted as a robust defence of Turkey's secular character.


    Gul said his decision to run for the presidency was "taken in a night" but the result of lengthy negotiations.

    The main opposition Republican People's Party has asked the constitutional court to cancel Friday's vote, arguing that the session of parliament was inquorate.

    If the court agrees, general elections set for November 4 could be brought forward.

    If not, Gul could be president in a third round vote on May 9, when he needs only an absolute majority in the AKP-dominated parliament.

    The prospect of Gul as president has alarmed secularists who suspect the AKP of having a secret Islamist agenda.

    The ruling party argues that it is now committed to secular principles.


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