SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS ADANA 0207

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,
JULY 31, 2003



1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press
summary for July 31, 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. Turkiye / Dr. Loretta Spencer Blatz from
Washington University Medical Faculty came
to Gaziantep to meet her Internet friend
and to convert to the Islamic faith.
Loretta changed her name as Latife. Sait
Celik, her boy friend from Maras
University stated that they are planning
to get married soon.



3. Bolge / Office Workers Association in
Kahramanmaras announced that they need to
reopen the airport for flights. Presently
there are about 50 people working at the
airport but there are no scheduled
flights.



4. Bolge / Governor of Bingol decided an
unscheduled visit to Celtiksuyu Health
Center on his way back from an opening
ceremony only to find a dirty, unpleasant
sight at the center. Governor found
opened medicine boxes, syringes and some
illegal publications of PKK at the health
center. Four people of the health center
are under investigation.



5. Gunaydin / Mehmet Irmak, Head of TEDAS
(Turkish Electric Distribution Company) in
Tarsus announced that in order to fight
against unauthorized electric users they
raised the number of their staff from 5 to
13 and the rate of illegal electric usage
has dropped from %60 to %21.



6. Gunaydin / Some American soldiers from
Incirlik Base visited Urfa to see the
historical places there.



7. Hurriyet / Syrian Prime Minister Mustafa
Miro announced after his meeting with
Kursat Tuzmen, State Secretary that they
are going to open a consulate in
Gaziantep.
HART