SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS ADANA 0133

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,
MAY 9, 2003



1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for May 9, 2003. Please note that Turkish press
reports often contain errors or exaggerations;
AmConsulate Adana does not vouch for the accuracy
of the reports summarized here.


POLITICAL, SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS



2. Bolge/Turkiye: The US troops' dependents
evacuated from Incirlik AFB for security reasons
prior to the war on Iraq started returning to the
AFB. The soldiers had been separated from their
families since March 17. 1,300 dependant-families
were evacuated from the AFB. The first group of
evacuees returned Incirlik AFB yesterday.



3. Turkiye: The police teams launching an
operation in Kahramanmars arrested nine persons
for alleged membership in the PKK. It is alleged
that six of the suspects had taken military
training at PKK's camp at the Iranian border and
were wanted by the Security Directorate of
Istanbul. The other three persons were charged
with having sympathy for and written banners on
behalf of PKK.



4. Milliyet: It is alleged that one of two
persons, detained by police in Bingol for
instigating the demonstration in front of the
governor's office after the earthquake, was a
Hizbullah member, and the other one had bonds
with the PKK. The report prepared by police about
the demonstration in Bingol claimed a group of
approximately 1,500 people, including
instigators, tried to attack Governor Huseyin
Avni Cos, and the Special Operation Team-
affiliated policemen opened fire in the air to
disperse the crowd. The report claimed that the
crowd was agitated by instigators including some
DEHAP supporters. Twelve persons were arrested by
police on the charges of involvement in
demonstrations. While the court released ten of
the detainees, two were held in custody for
membership in illegal organizations.
HOLTZ