SOUTEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 0200

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
JULY 23, 2003



1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for July 23 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. Milliyet / Yeni Turkiye Party (YTP)
celebrated its first anniversary in Adana.
Zafer Yegenoglu, the head of YTP in Adana
announced that there are big problems ahead
of Turkey and recession and inequality are
the worst.



3. Bolge, Turkiye, Evrensel / Riza Mete, the
head of the Adana Doctors' Association
announced that SSK Hospitals and doctors
are doing their best considering the
economical and social factors in mind.
Mete also stated that they support the
policy of the government to put all state
hospitals under the same official
description. "This allows the patients
under Social Security to choose their
hospitals", he added.



4. Bolge, Turkiye / Security forces found
45000 root hemp in Sivrice/Elazig. The
farmer who owns the land is under police
custody. Investigation continues.



5. Gunaydin / Community Center in Adana gave
service for 8000 people in three years
time. In the center children under school
age can get music, art and sports
education. Women and school age children
can also benefit from the services of the
center. Eight teachers work in the center
as volunteers. The local government pays
teachers' lunch and transport expenses.
Center welcomes donations.



6. Turkiye / In Bingol 21 year old Felek
Bulbul committed suicide. In Mardin, Ayten
Akkun (19) attempted to commit suicide.
Investigations still continue. (Editor's
Note: Southeast Turkey has the biggest
suicide rate in Turkey)



7. Turkiye / In Cizre/Sirnak 21 Kalasnikov
rifles were found in a truck. Five people
are under police custody for questioning.





8. Turkiye / Orhan Uysaloglu is the new Head
for National Education in Tarsus.



9. Evrensel / Workers in Malatya TEKEL (State
Tobacco Factory) are not leaving their
factory. The two Korean potential buyers
were not allowed in the factory yesterday.
(Editor's Note: Government's plan is to
privatize TEKEL and workers are against it
due to job losses and less payment.)



10. Bolge / Some 26 truck drivers were arrested
at Habur Border Gate for selling some or
all of the American unleaded petrol and
helicopter fuel they get from the Incirlik
Base in Adana. Truck drivers were supposed
to transport the petrol and fuel to Iraq.


ECONOMICAL



11. Radikal, Evrensel, Sabah / Hasankeyf in
Batman is going to be restored. With its
6000 caves and historical value, which go
back to Assyrians, it is almost like an
open-air museum. Efkan Ala, Governor of
Batman stated that a new project is about
to start and it is supported by the Prime
Minister himself.



12. Milliyet / Saban Bas, The Head of the Adana
Chamber of Commerce continues his visits to
get support for the Industrial and
Commercial Fair which will take place in
Adana between October 6-12. Bas visited
Tarsus Chamber of Industry and Chamber of
Commerce yesterday.
HART