SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY

UNCLAS ADANA 0188

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PINS TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
JULY 16, 2003



1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for July 16, 2003. Please note that Turkish
press reports often Adana contain errors or
exaggerations; AmConsulate Adana does not vouch
for the accuracy of the reports summarized here.


POLITICAL, SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS







2. Dunya / According to the Chicago Tribune,
PKK/KADEK terrorists in Northern Iraq are waiting
for a signal to start attacks in Eastern Turkey.
In case of their demands not being accepted by
the Turkish Government PKK will give orders for
attacks. If the US Government allows this, it
will create problems in the future.



3. Evrensel, Turkiye, / Turkish Security Forces
announced that they are going to start clearing
the landmines near the Syrian Border.



4. Evrensel / Talkshow entertainer Murat Batgi
and singer Rojin are accused of giving support to
PKK/KADEK during their shows and concerts.
Government officials are to question them.



5. Evrensel / Peace Platform in Batman organized
a walk for peace.










ECONOMICAL



6. Milliyet, Hurriyet, Bolge, Gunaydin, / Adana
Chamber of Commerce is organizing an industrial
fair between October 6-13. Saban Bas, the head of
the Chamber of Commerce announced that this is a
big, important event for Adana and asked for the
support of the NGOs and Cukurova University. The
Rector of Cukurova University and some members of
the Chamber of Commerce had a meeting and agreed
on the support of the professors from the
Agriculture and Business and Economics
Departments for the fair.



7. Cumhuriyet, Milli Gazete / Government
officials, NGOs and the Municipality of Mardin
gathered for a meeting to get the approval for
Mardin to apply for the World Heritage List.
Great number of university professors and Marie-
Laure Sturn, wife of the Chief DCM of the French
Embassy attended the meeting and gave their
support.



8. Gunaydin / A group of Syrian Businessmen
visited Mersin for business arrangements. Prime
Minister Erdogan accepted the group's courtesy
call during the time he was in Mersin.



9. Evrensel / Restoration work in historic town
of Zeugma (in Gaziantep) is going to start on
July 23. A group of professors from Ankara
University will lead the project.
HART