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