SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS ADANA 0242 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for September 12, 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. Zaman, Sabah Guney, / Two hundred and ten people in Adana applied to Turkish authorities to benefit from the "reintegration" law. Fifty- five of these people are members of PKK/KADEK, 117 of them are members of Hizbullah and 38 of them are from other illegal terrorist organizations. ¶3. Zaman / Merchants in Incirlik village wore black ribbons all day yesterday to show their respect for the lost lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Merchants also stated that they share the grief of the U.S Government and the American people. ¶4. Turkiye / The Turkish Government is planning to open the Ovakoy border gate between Syria and Silopi, Sirnak province. Turkish officials reportedly discussed this plan with American officials. The plan includes canceling all the trade at Habur border gate, which is now under the control of Kurdish peshmerges, and using Ovakoy gate for trade instead. If the plan is accepted the Habur gate will only be used for the transport of humanitarian aid and the dispatch of troops. ¶5. Sabah Guney, Hurriyet / Two people attacked Adana Sabah reporter Kemal Kucuk on Ataturk Street. A Universal Hospital spokesperson announced that Kucuk's nose is broken. The Adana Security Office is continuing its investigation of the incident. ¶6. Milli Gazete / Bingol province, which was struck by an earthquake in May, 2003, needs help with the start of its new school year. Most schools in the area have been moved into prefabricated buildings and repair of the previous school buildings requires financial aid and assistance. ECONOMIC ¶7. Turkiye, Hurriyet, Milliyet, Zaman / Umit Gumus, Head of the Adana Chamber of Industry, visited the International industrial fair in Selaniko, Greece, including the 15 stands from Adana. Gumus also had meetings with the Athens head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry director. REID