Demonstration in Turkey against Rice's visit

Hundreds of Turks demonstrated against the visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condaleezza Rice to their country, demanded cancellation of the visit as well as preventing the Americans from using military bases in Turkey.

The demonstration, organized by political parties, human rights groups and trade unions, gathered outside the American embassy in Ankara where protestors laid a black wreath of flowers.

Chairman of the Turkish Chambers of Engineers Federation Mohammed Soganji told the crowd that the USA "has been pursuing, since 15 years, the cold war policy in the region.." Other demonstrators carried anti-war banners that demanded withdrawal of the American and British troops from Iraq.