300,000 Turks Protest Government

[Shammu]

300,000 Turks Protest Government

Sunday, April 29, 2007
ISTANBUL, Turkey — At least 300,000 secular Turks waving the red national flag flooded central Istanbul on Sunday to demand the resignation of the pro-Islamic government.

The second large anti-government demonstration in two weeks, it followed a sharp rise in tension between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the country's powerful pro-secular military, which accuses the government of tolerating the activities of radical Islamic circles.

"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," shouted thousands of flag-waving protesters, who traveled to Istanbul from across the country overnight.

more............. 300,000 Turks Protest Government

[Shammu]

Turks Protest Islamic-Rooted Government
Waving Sea of Red National Flags, More Than 300,000 Turks Protest Islamic-Rooted Government
BENJAMIN HARVEY Associated Press Writer
ISTANBUL, TurkeyApr 29, 2007 (AP)

At least 300,000 Turks waving the red national flag flooded central Istanbul on Sunday to demand the resignation of the government, saying the Islamic roots of Turkey's leaders threatened to destroy the country's modern foundations.

Like the protesters who gathered for the second large anti-government demonstration in two weeks Turkey's powerful secular military has accused Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of tolerating radical Islamic circles.

"They want to drag Turkey to the dark ages," said 63-year-old Ahmet Yurdakul, a retired government employee who attended the protest.

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