WASHINGTON — Turkey is bracing for demonstrations and violent incidents duirng the visit by Pope Benedict XVI this week.
The U.S. embassy in Ankara has alerted Americans to the prospect of
violence during the pope's scheduled visit this week. The pope was expected
to visit Ankara, Ephesus and Istanbul during his visit from Nov. 28 through
Dec. 1.
Islamic groups have protested the pope's visit and Turkish security
forces were placed on high alert, Middle East Newsline reported. The papal tour was part of an effort by the
Roman Catholic Church to reconcile with the Orthodox Christian movement.
On Nov. 2, a Turkish national, Ibrahim Ak, fired a pistol outside the
Italian consulate in Istanbul while threatening to kill the pope. Ak was
arrested and nobody was injured.
"God willing, he will not come," Ak told Turkish television as he was
being arrested. "If he comes, he will see what will happen to him."
"While there is no firm information available about any demonstrations
against the pope, there may be gatherings to protest his visit," a warden
message by the U.S. embassy said on Nov. 22.
One demonstration has been planned for Sunday in Istanbul. The
Islamic-oriented Felicity Party, also known as Saadet Partis, said it would
protest the papal visit.
The U.S. embassy has also warned Americans of the anniversary of the
founding of the PKK on Nov. 27. The warden message raised the prospect of
violent protests and warned Americans to avoid areas of demonstrations.
"On this date, unauthorized gatherings are likely to occur in cities
throughout Turkey," the warden message said. "Even demonstrations intended
to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence."
