SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ADANA 0040 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, FEBRUARY 5, 2003 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for February 5, 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. POLITICS, SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS -------------- ¶2. TERROR WARNING IN THE SOUTHEAST (Sabah) The Turkish Armed Forces continue to dispatch additional troops to the Iraqi border. Meanwhile, the National Security Directorate warned the 81 provincial security directorates against possible terrorist attacks. The report calls for intense security measures alongside routes used for military dispatch to the Southeast. Major terrorist organizations mentioned were the Marxist- Leninist Communist Party (MLKP) and PKK. ¶3. WAR MEETING IN DIYARBAKIR (Milliyet) The "Rain Operation Plan," devised to prevent a population movement and provide humanitarian assistance in the event of a possible operation against Iraq, was tabled again during a February 4 meeting in Diyarbakir. Second Army Commander General Fevzi Turkeri, Regional Governor Gokhan Aydiner, Seventh Corps Command Lieutenant General Atilla Isik, and the governors of Diyarbakir, Mardin, Sirnak, Batman, Van, and Hakkari provinces, which have been tasked with first-degree duties, as well as the governors of 21 other provinces who will give support to these six provinces, attended the meeting. Officials from the Directorates of Red Crescent, Public Works, Health, National Education, Civil Defense, and Tele-com were also present. Turkeri, Aydiner, the governors and officials will watch a February 5 humanitarian assistance exercise at Sirnak's Habur border gate. ¶4. MILITARY INSPECTION AT INCIRLIK AIR BASE (Hurriyet) A three-day general inspection began at Incirlik (Adana) Air Base's Tenth Tanker Command as of February 4. An alarm was given for the Turkish personnel there as part of ordinary annual inspections. During inspections, high-level military officials from Ankara observed to see if sufficient security measures had been taken against any attacks. Efforts will be exerted to eliminate any shortcomings. ¶5. COMMANDOES IN NORTHERN IRAQ (Hurriyet/Radikal/Milliyet/Tercuman) Additional forces have been dispatched to support Turkish military units deployed in northern Iraq to prevent the infiltration of PKK terrorists during a possible influx of refugees in the event of a war in Iraq. Military vehicles transported commando units to Uludere (Sirnak) along the Iraqi border. They then crossed into northern Iraq to assume assigned duties there. Based on intelligence that there are around 500 (PKK) terrorists in Iraq's Sinaht Valley across from Uludere, security forces are preparing for a large-scale operation. Military officials said leaves had been suspended to be ready for an operation as the U.S. was expected to launch its possible operation against Iraq between February 15-27. Radikal pointed to expedited war preparations in military and civilian bureaucracy, with leaves suspended at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as critical military units. Mobilization duty order files have been updated. Security measures have been elevated in such public institutions as MKE, TUPRAS, PETKIM, TEDAS, GAP, and around dams. Milli Gazete reported the dispatch by train of heavy military equipment, including tanks, canons, and munitions, from the Trakya region to the Iraqi border. ¶6. FEAR OF WAR (Tercuman) People in the Southeast have begun to take measures in preparation for a possible war in Iraq. They have begun to prepare apartment basements or rooms in their apartments against chemical weapons attacks. Residents of Kiziltepe (Mardin) have reportedly already prepared basements for a possible (chemical) attack. Cumhuriyet reported there were no civilian (war) preparations in the Southeast, just military build-up. ¶7. FOUR HIZBULLAH SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN MARDIN (Cumhuriyet) Acting a tip, the Mardin Security Directorate's Anti-Terror teams arrested four suspected members of Hizbullah's Ilim (Science) Group in Mardin. Interrogation of the arrestees continues. ¶8. SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER IN DIYARBAKIR (Sabah/Hurriyet/Tercuman) Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, whom the former government of Bulent Ecevit had refused to give permission to travel to Diyarbakir, flew to Diyarbakir on a private plane of the Swedish Air Force. Diyarbakir Governor Ahmet Cemil Serhadli met Lindh when she arrived at Diyarbakir's Second Tactic Air Base. In Diyarbakir, Lindh visited the Women's Center (KAMER),where she was briefed on KAMER activities. Lindh later donated USD 25,000 to the Center's Honor Killings Prevention Project. Lindh said she was visiting Diyarbakir due to its economic and political problems. After her meeting with AK Party leader Erdogan in Ankara, Lindh quoted Erdogan as saying she would see many changes in the region during her next visit to Diyarbakir. Erdogan had reportedly told her the AK Party government would make more investments in the region. Cumhuriyet cited Lindh as saying the (Turkish) government had given assurances that it would display zero tolerance for torture. ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶9. BAS CONCERNED OVER DIE'S INFLATION FIGURE FOR JANUARY (Milliyet) Adana Chamber of Commerce President Saban Bas evaluated the State Statistics Institute's (DIE) inflation figure for the month of January. Bas said the figure had shown that no concessions should be made regarding (the government's) economic policies. "The government must take all measures to prevent the inflation disease from spreading," he added. ¶10. A NEW SHOPPING CENTER IN MERSIN (Milliyet) A new four-story shopping center was inaugurated on Mersin's Silifke road. Republican People's Party (CHP) Mersin Deputy Vahit Cekmez and Mersin Mayor Macit Ozcan attended the inauguration ceremony. The new shopping center will provide jobs for 100 people. HOLTZ