SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY

UNCLAS ADANA 0285 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY NOVEMBER 18, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for November 18, 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. Milliyet, Bolge / On November 17, a suspicious bag was found in Adana Kucuksaat District around the time of iftar (sunset). After the explosion of the bag by the bomb specialists, it was announced that the bag was empty. ¶3. Ozgur Gundem / Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) head Tuncay Bakirhan, announced at a DEHAP iftar dinner held in Adana, that DEHAP is starting dialogues with other political parties and NGOs. ¶4. Ozgur Gundem / In Sirnak, DEHAP members have been questioned five times by Turkish court officials in the last 6 weeks. In Van, three DEHAP members were sent to court for attending a meeting to protest against the September 23 detention of DEHAP Head Tuncay Bakirhan. Attorney Murat Timur stated that those three members were out of Van during that protest. ¶5. Bolge / Hatay Governor Abdullah Sari announced that both the Syrian and the Turkish governments approved the joint celebration during the first two days of Ramadan Bayram at Hatay Cilvegozu Border Gate. ¶6. Ekspres / Approximately 15 people gathered in front of Adana Imar Bank and organized a mock funeral for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The people asked for immediate payment of their money at Imar Bank. REID