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