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