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