SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS ADANA 0187 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, JULY 15, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for July 15, 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. Evrensel / Chief Sergeant Ibrahim Alici in Siirt, claimed that he had been tortured during the time he was under custody in Dagdosu Gendarme Station. He was taken to the station for disturbing his neighbors on June 13. The doctors have also reported and substantiated his torture claims. Human Rights Organization in Siirt had blamed the same Gendarme Station for torture a year ago. ¶3. Evrensel / TEKEL (State Tobacco Company) workers in Antep continue their strike against privatization of the company. Driver's Association in Antep and EMEP (A political Party) announced their support for the workers. ¶4. Milli Gazete, Bolge, Milliyet, / A former PKK/KADEK member escaped from the group and surrendered in Susehri/Sivas. During the trial he admitted that he had some training in Northern Iraq and came to Tunceli with some other members of the group. After the legal trial he was arrested. ¶5. Hurriyet / Cemil Kuyu, the new Chief Prosecutor of Mersin started his position and announced that he'll work for peace and justice. Kuyu has a publication "Judicial Psychiatry". ECONOMICAL ¶6. Hurriyet / In Mezitli/Mersin some statues believed to be from the third century were found. Ministry of Culture, Mersin University and Mezitli Municipality organized a project to continue the digging. Archeologists believe that there are more hidden statutes under the ground. ¶7. Bolge, Gunaydin / Governor of Adana announced that the good results of the business trip to Greece which was arranged by the Chamber of Industry in Adana in April 2003 can be seen now. "It is good news that a factory from the region (Guney Celik Hasir Sanayi) is exporting steel building construction material to Greece," he said. HART