SOUTEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY

UNCLAS ADANA 0239 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for September 11, 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. Tercuman / Six provinces in Southeast Turkey need about 1,000 teachers in the new school year. ¶3. Turkiye / Hatay Police found 1,000 Ecstasy tablets in Mehmet Ozen's car in Antakya and arrested Ozen and his girl friend. ¶4. Turkiye / Adana Mensa factory workers are having problems with their union. Workers are accusing the union of not protecting their legal rights. ¶5. Evrensel / Villagers in Cukurca, Hakkari province, who have been waiting in the vicinity of the Iraqi border seeking a refugee status based on a desire to escape alleged torture by Turkish soldiers, have now settled in the Kamina area in Iraq where their relatives live. (Editor's Note: Press reporting is silent on whether refugee status has been awarded to these individuals and as to which Iraqi or UNHCR authority the individuals might have been making their case. We covered this story in our September 9, 2003 SE Press Summary). ¶6. Evrensel / Forest fire in Genc, Bingol province, has been burning for eight days. People in the region are accusing Turkish soldiers of starting the fire to deny cover to suspected guerilla operations. ¶7. Hurriyet, Milliyet / Women in Denizli mahalle sub-district, raided their district head's office and complained about the terrible condition of the Denizli mahalle's road. The road was repaired and re-opened on the same day. REID