DEMONSTRATION IN ADANA CITY CENTER

UNCLAS ADANA 000156 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PREL TU ADANA SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION IN ADANA CITY CENTER ¶1. (SBU) On December 12 at approximately 12:30 pm, at the Railway Station Square in central Adana (6-7 kilometers from the U.S. Consulate),approximately 500 demonstrators protested U.S. policies in Iraq and GOT collaboration with the U.S. The group disbanded at 14:45 hours without incident. ¶2. (SBU) The event was organized by the Saadet (Felicity) Party and included members of the provincial organizations of the True Path Party (DYP),Republican People's Party (CHP); Nationalist Action Party (MHP); Toil Party (Emegin Partisi); and the Public Employees Union. Demonstrators denounced the death of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, accused the U.S. of imperialism, and claimed the invasion of Iraq was part of the "U.S. and Israel's Greater Middle East Project." Organizers also protested the AK Party's collaboration with the U.S., including permission for the U.S. to operate fighter aircraft from Incirlik Air Force Base. (Note: The U.S. does not operate fighter aircraft from Incirlik Air Force Base, but a small number of U.S. tankers temporarily rotate through the base. End note.) ¶3. (SBU) There was heavy Turkish National Police presence during the event. The Consulate's SD team monitored the situation throughout. Demonstrators did not make any move toward the Consulate. TNP did not report any incidents, arrests, or injuries having occurred at the demonstration. REID