SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS ADANA 0234

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,
SEPTEMBER 05, 2003


1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for September 05, 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. Bolge / A bag, found in Kucuksaat, a crowded
shopping area in old Adana, caused panic in
the city. Bomb specialists arrived to check
the bag. The bag was empty.



3. Bolge / Sahin Baltaci, who had investments in
Imarbank, burned himself in front of Imarbank
Resatbey Branch, Adana. An ambulance took
Baltaci to the hospital. His treatment will
continue.



4. Bolge/ Members of Mersin State Employees'
Union, Kamu-Sen, ended their three-day hunger
strike.



5. Bolge, Turkiye, Express / After the complaints
about the pollution caused by Sugozu Thermo-
electric power plant, Adana Government tested
the water in Yumurtalik and declared that it
was clean.



6. Milli Gazete, Evrensel / State Hospital in
Siverek, Sanliurfa province, does not have a
working ambulance. Siverek has a population
of 250.000 people. (Editor's Note: Two
ambulances, which belong to the hospital,
don't work).



7. Evrensel / Due to PKK/KADEK's announcement
that it was ending the ceasefire, security
officials In Cemisgezek, Tunceli province
called upon the people to evacuate the rural
areas.



8. Evrensel / It is claimed that about 832 people
from the Southeast applied to benefit from the
"reintegration law". The article does not
provide the source for the figure.


CULTURE and TOURISM



9. Cumhuriyet / In order to protect the
historical and natural value of the island, the
Culture and Tourism Center prohibited people to
have picnics on Akdamar Island, Gevas, Van
province.
REID