SOUTEHAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS ADANA 0246 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTEHAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for September 17, 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. Turkiye, Tercuman, Sabah Guney / Ebru Demirkol, financial assistant in Global Exchange, is now in prison. Demirkol was accused of investing $570,000 of her clients' money in her own name. ¶3. Turkiye, Tercuman / A medical doctor in the Adana State Hospital, is accused of taking money from one of his patients for an operation. (Editor's Note: Patients under social security system do not pay for their treatments and operations in the State hospitals). ¶4. Evrensel / Cemil Taskiran, Head of Tarsus Kasim Ekenler High School, has been removed from his position for no particular reason by local AKP officials. Taskiran accused the officials of abusing his rights and added that he is going to sue the municipality education officials. ¶5. Evrensel / Mersin police detained the head and assistant head of Mersin Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) after their press conference which addressed Abdullah Ocalan's health. ¶6. Bolge / Izzet Kutukoglu, Manager of Cultural Affairs in Van, has been removed from his post for the 13th time. Kutukoglu accused government officials of making this political. (Editor's Note: After each time Kutukoglu was removed from his position, he applied to the high court and was reappointed to his former position). ECONOMIC ¶7. Bolge / Adana Pepsi Company claims 50% of their export sales are for the American soldiers in Iraq. REID