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