SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS ADANA 0217 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, AUGUST 15, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for August 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. Milliyet, Hurriyet, Sabah Guney, Express / Aytac Durak, Mayor of Adana, responded to the criticism of Umit Ozgumus, Head of Chamber of Industry in Adana. Durak announced that Ozgumus was not being fair about the Industrial Fair, which will be held in October. Durak also blamed Ozgumus for acting political and stated that "it is too early for elections". ¶3. Milliyet, Hurriyet /The Civil Society Association sponsored by the EU Civil Society Development Program, scheduled the fourth education program between the dates of September 4 and 15 in Turkey. The education program will be held at Inci Hotel in Adana. ¶4. Turkiye / Governor of Hakkari announced that they have found about 4 tons of heroin in the area during the operations in the last three years. Security forces found about 18 kg of heroin in Hakkari during the last operation. ¶5. Turkiye / Four customs officers in Habur Gate were arrested for accepting money from a Turkoman who had missing documents to cross the border. ¶6. Bolge / Cem Uzan, Head of Genc Party, is coming to Adana for the Party's annual meeting. He is expected to respond to the allegations against him and his family in his speech. ¶7. Evrensel / A group of women in Adana had demonstrations in Ova Mah. Women called themselves as The Women of PJA. The women praised Ocalan and PJA during their demonstration. Police did not interfere with the women. ¶8. Evrensel / Gendarme Forces took a member of KADEK/PKK under custody in Diyarbakir. Allegedly, the man supported KADEK/PKK logistically. ¶9. Evrensel / According to Evrensel, Turkish Government plans meetings through local governments with the parents of the PKK/KADEK members who are in the rural areas. Government's plan is to use the parents to convince their children to benefit from the new amnesty law. HART