Posted on 04/03/2003 4:10:32 PM PST by miltonim
A BOMB exploded outside the British consulate in Istanbul today. A Foreign Office spokesman said the device was hurled at the building housing the visa section at 12.30am local time.
Only superficial damage was caused and no-one was injured in the blast, which occurred shortly after England’s 2-0 victory over Turkey in a Euro 2004 qualifier at Sunderland last night.
The motive for the attack was not known.
The spokesman said: "The building was empty at the time. Police attended, the area has been cordoned off and they are investigating. It is too early to speculate on the motive."
The explosion shattered some windows and damaged a gate and walls of the building in the Beyoglu district.
Anti-British and American sentiment runs high in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, because of coalition attacks on bordering Iraq.
Anti-war demonstrators have staged several protests in Istanbul and other major Turkish cities in recent weeks, prompting British diplomatic missions to step up security.
More than 90 per cent of Turks are against the war in Iraq and images of civilian casualties being repeatedly broadcast on Turkish television stations are fuelling anger against American and British administrations.
More than 90 football fans were arrested in Sunderland after violent skirmishes erupted before, during and after last night’s football match.
Hooligans pelted riot police with bottles and bar stools as rival English fans clashed before the Euro 2004 qualifier at the Stadium of Light.
No Turkish fans were arrested or injured.
Earlier this week, a fuel-laden pick-up truck smashed into the main gatepost of the British embassy in Iran and burst into flames, three days after the embassy was besieged by anti-war protesters.
However Iranian authorities said it was an accident and not a terrorist attack.
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