SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY

UNCLAS ADANA 0168

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
JUNE 30, 2003



1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for June 30, 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. Hurriyet, / UNESCO is taking Mardin off the
World Heritage List. The report given by
the International Organization of Monuments
and Historical areas was a factor in the decision.
Mardin is a 7000-year-old city that had applied to
be on the World Heritage List in 1981.



3. Cumhuriyet, / The head of the Diyarbakir
Human Rights Organization has been sued by
the government due to the monthly reports
about human rights in the area. Government
officials said the reports are not about
human rights but include sections that
support KADEK.



4. Turkiye, / A Kurdish talk show was warmly
welcomed in Batman. The show was the first
in the area. Murat Batki, the speaker of
the show, announced that government
officials had organized and supported the
event.



5. Bolge, Turkiye, / Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan was in Adana over the weekend. He
had come for his party's yearly convention
and the opening of the new courthouse.



6. Bolge, Turkiye, / Security officials caught
nine people including the leader of Marxist
Leninist Communist Party Adana Branch for
planning a bombing action against the Prime
Minister during the new courthouse opening
ceremony.



7. Evrensel, / TEKEL workers protested the
privatization policy of the government
during Mr. Erdogan's visit in Adana.
Security officials took down the posters of
the group, which gathered in a park.



8. Evrensel, / The first Kurdish song contest
will be held by Mediterranean Culture and
Art Center in Adana.
HOLTZ