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