SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 0146 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, MAY 28, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for May 28, 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. Radikal: An investigation was begun against Enis Alkan, a senior student at Ataturk University in Erzurum, because officials believe Alkan made a pro-Kurdish statement with his signature while filing a petition with the university for mid-term exams. The report from the security directorate stated, "although the meaning of the signature is not being examined in our laboratory, the signature resembles the word Kurtculuk (Kurdism)." Alkan was dismissed from the university. Alkan's request for suspension of the act by the university was denied at the local administrative court on the grounds that there was no serious opposition to the law or irrecoverable losses. Alkan is waiting for the result of the appeal he made to the Regional Administrative Court. ¶3. Radikal: In Kazanci village of Diyarbakir, the elementary school teacher required a sick student to read an anthem that begins with "happy is he who says I am a Turk." Because the student chanted it silently, the teacher misunderstood the student, and thought he said "happy is he who says I am a Kurd;" and charges were brought against the student at the State Security Court. The unidentified student, who was tried at Diyarbakir State Security Court, was acquitted on the grounds that moral components of the crime were not constituted. ¶4. Radikal: Police in Hakkari used an interesting method to determine people who shouted pro-Ocalan and PKK/KADEK organization slogans during the Newruz festivities in Hakkari on March 21. Thirteen persons viewed with open mouths in pictures taken by police were interrogated for having shouted pro-separatist organization slogans. The police filed a petition with the office of the Chief Public Prosecutor of Hakkari against the suspects for "supporting and harboring the organization," and demanded a warrant of arrest in absentia be issued for eight suspects not found at their addresses. Five other suspects were arraigned. Later the court released the suspects because of lack of solid evidence. The suspects' attorney, Mikhail Demiroglu, said the police did not have sound records of the people accused, and it was difficult to understand what was said and by whom at a place where thirty thousand people had gathered. ¶5. Evrensel: A court in Tunceli gave a one month imprisonment sentence to 30 persons, including HADEP's former Provincial Chairman Alcan Onlu, and the former Provincial Chairman of EMEP, Salih Gundogan, for attending the May 1 Labor Day Meeting in Tunceli. Regarding the issue, an attorney from Tunceli Bar Association, Baris Yildirim, said, although the OHAL (State of Emergency Rule) has been lifted, its effects still continue. Yildirim said the people had gathered to celebrate Labor Day, and making a press release was not a crime by law. Yildirim said they would appeal the court's decision. ¶6. Milli Gazete/Bolge: Adana Governor Kemal Onal said there was a pressing need in Adana for five thousand classrooms in elementary schools and 925 classrooms in secondary schools. Governor Onal said because Adana received influxes of immigrants, the need for classrooms increased. The Governor also stated 300 teachers, appointed to Adana for health and family reasons, were receiving their salaries without teaching any classes. Onal claimed that most of the immigrants had multiple children and the need for classrooms was mainly felt in Yuregir and Seyhan districts of the town. Governor Onal said he was expecting support from private citizens and companies to resolve the issue. He added they spent approximately 2.750 million USD for transportation of 13,500 students throughout the province. ¶7. Hurriyet: Three hundred physicians and nurses from various towns were trained on "Family Planning Standardization Education" at the Yavuzlar Infirmary in Adana. Adana Provincial Health Director, Dr. Serdar Mercan, stated their objective is to give standard, good quality family planning service in all Health Ministry- affiliated institutions. Mercan said a team consisting of 15 persons started the education program in Adana in 2000. ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS ¶8. Bolge: The President of Chamber of Commerce in Adana, Saban Bas, said they would open an International Fair in September in Adana. He stated this fair would be vitally important for promoting the trade in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Bas said the fair would be set up on 50 acres of land with 11 thousand square meters of covered area for tents. Bas said permanent buildings for the fair would be built in coming years. HOLTZ