SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY

UNCLAS ADANA 0293

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
DECEMBER 19, 2003



1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for December 19, 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. Ozgur Gundem / In Yukari Goklu, Halfeti, Urfa
province, three DEHAP members, Abdullah Sonmez,
Abdurrahman Polat, and Suleyman Buyukertas,
were detained for fundraising. Jandarma also


seized all the printed documents in the DEHAP
building. After their questioning, the
detainees were released.



3. Ozgur Gundem / At Van Centennial University,
the scholarship application of Ahmet Karacelik
was denied allegedly because the student and
his family are supporters of DEHAP.



4. Expres, Bolge / According to a press release
from the U.S. Consulate Adana, the new
Consulate building has started to function in
Yuregir. The new building is modern and more
secure. Consul W. Scott Reid stated that the
Consulate staff look forward to a continued
close relationship with the people of Adana.



5. Tercuman / Metin Armutcu, an alleged PKK/KADEK
terrorist who allegedly was involved in several
attacks, was detained at DEHAP Hozat Head Vural
Yildirim's house. Police also detained 17
other people following Armutcu's confession.



6. Hurriyet / American soldiers are using Incirlik
airbase as a transit point. This doesn't
require an approval from the Turkish
authorities as it is done according to NATO
regulations.


HEALTH



8. Hurriyet Cukurova / Dr. Asim Guzelbey, head
physician of Gaziantep Konukoglu Hospital,
announced that the hospital signed an agreement
with Sudanese companies to treat Sudanese
patients.
REID