SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 0273 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, OCTOBER 18-20, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for October 18-20, 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. Vakit / According to research conducted by the Sanliurfa Municipality Press Department in Siverek, about 2,000 children in Siverek do not have birth certificates or any other kind of legal documentation to confirm their identity. ¶3. Evrensel, Cumhuriyet / A statue of Pir Sultan Abdal, who was a famous poet,folk singer, and peacemaker, was dedicated in Tunceli. Three thousand people were in attendance. ¶4. Evrensel, Ozgur Gundem / In Eruh, Siirt province, three people allegedly introducing themselves as PKK-KADEK members, came to the Gulgornu village and asked for food. They also wanted the villagers to act as village guards to help protect them. Villagers reportedly became distressed about the incident. According to Ozgur Gundem, the three people were "fake" guerillas, possibly investigating PKK sympathizers. ¶5. Turkiye / A terrorist escaped from Kandil Mountain and applied to Turkish officials in Sirnak to benefit from the "reintegration" law. ¶6. Zaman / According to the reports of the National Intelligence Office (MIT) and National Security Office, there are 3,000 foreign (secret) agents from 40 different countries in the southeast Turkey. Turkish officials expelled thirteen of these agents. According to the reports, these agents are instigating the separatist issues in the area. (Editor's Note: The article doesn't state where or when the agents were expelled.) ¶7. Turkiye, Ozgur Gundem / Ramazan Demir (75),who was shot by Turkish security forces, believing him to be a terrorist, died in Diyarbakir Dicle University Hospital at the weekend. He was wounded during the attack on Kovali Village, Derik, Mardin on October 13. According to Ozgur Gundem, a large number of people attended Demir's funeral and shouted, "We are Apo fans," and "we don't regret." ¶8. Yeni Safak / The case of six people, including a high school manager and 2 teachers, previously detained and released, commenced in Mus. The Turkish Jandarma forces are accused of torturing them during their detention. ¶9. Turkiye / A PKK/KADEK terrorist was found dead in Dicle, Diyarbakir province. Security forces found 1 Kalashnikov rifle, 50 bullets, 2 grenades and a pair of binoculars with the terrorist. ¶10. Turkiye / In Nizip, Gaziantep province, Jandarma found 10 kg of marijuana and detained 3 people for the incident. ¶11. Turkiye / Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) pipeline in Demiryolu village, Batman province was the target of the thieves who stole some crude oil and escaped. The investigation still continues. ¶12. Ozgur Gundem / PKK/KADEK attacked a Turkish Army helicopter in Kirkpinar, Dicle, Diyarbakir province and killed 7 soldiers and a KADEK member. ¶13. Ozgur Gundem / In Barbaros district, Adana, police collected white "peace" flags from the shop windows prepared by the Democratic People's Party (DEHAP). In Diyarbakir, Ramazan Dengiz, Diyarbakir head of DEHAP, is being investigated for putting up a white flag on the DEHAP party building. REID