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Turkish protesters condemn NATO radar

Press TV – October 31, 2011

Turkish protesters have gathered outside the US Embassy in the capital, Ankara, to voice opposition to government plans to host a NATO base in the country, Press TV reported.

Turkish activists said on Sunday that the establishment of a NATO radar base in the eastern province of Malatya would turn Turkey into an “intelligence base for the imperialist wars waged by the US.”

They also held banners which read, “Turkey will not become a shield for Israel.”

The protest was organized by the Organization of Human Rights and Solidarity for oppressed People, known as Mazlumder in Turkish. Activists from several other NGOs also took part in the gathering.

Ankara announced in September that it had agreed on the deployment of the X-Band radar, which is an early warning radar, on its territory as part of NATO’s missile defense system.

According to the US Defense Department, the radar system will become operational in Turkey by the end of 2011.

The decision has sparked several protest rallies in Turkey.

Protesters say that the system threatens the region’s security and economy and that Ankara agreed with the plan under pressure from the US.

Opposition parties in Turkey have also called on the government to reject the planned deployment which they say is aimed at protecting Israel.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said that the presence of foreign forces in the region only threatens regional security and stability.

October 31, 2011 - Posted by | Solidarity and Activism

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