This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ADANA 000135
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ TU ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, OCTOBER 5, 2004
UNCLAS ADANA 000135
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ TU ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, OCTOBER 5, 2004
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for October 05, 2004. 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. SABAH/HURRIYET: In Gaziantep, former banker Betul Kurt (27) disappeared with $10 million she had received by promising high interest rates to those who made deposits in a currency exchange. The currency exchange office belonged to her relatives. While working as a banker, Kurt had been charged with using clients' money in her name, and she is facing 8.5 years of imprisonment.
3. CUMHURIYET/EVRENSEL: In Siirt province, 33 Istanbul and Siirt "Human Shield Initiative" members who had attempted to travel to the Cirav Mountain in order to stop military operations underway against PKK/Kongra Gel, were arrested by the Eruh Criminal Court of Peace for opposing Assembly and Marches Law No. 2911, damaging others' property, disobeying officials' orders, openly instigating hatred and animosity among people, and resisting enforcement officers.
CUMHURIYET: American diplomats from the Political Section of the US Embassy in Ankara, Philip Kaplan and James Sopp, arrived in Van. During their visit with the Van Mayor, Mr. Kaplan said they were undertaking a trip with the goal of understanding Turkey better, and had been visiting Van as a part of that trip. Kaplan said that they called on governors, mayors, NGO representatives, and public prosecutors in the towns they visited.
MILLIYET/BOLGE/ULKEDE OZGUR GUNDEM: The trial related to Siyar Perincek, an alleged PKK/Kongra Gel militant who died in clashes with police, started in Adana. Three policemen charged with manslaughter face sentences varying from 5 to 15 years of imprisonment. One of the defendants, police supervisor D.O., claimed Perincek fired at him two rounds before he shot at him. The hearing was adjourned to November 11.
VAKIT: Approximately 10,000 Turkish trucks have been "stranded" for two weeks in Zakho, Northern Iraq, because of unjust practices by the Kurdish peshmergas. Truckers have been claiming that they are forced to buy fuel from the Halil Ibrahim Customs Station and pay a fee of $125, an increase of $25 over the past. Truckers have been petitioning Turkish authorities to find a remedy.
TURKIYE: Jandarma teams seized 16.785 kilograms of heroin in operations in the Aktoprak and Tekpinar villages of Adiyaman. Three persons were arrested in connection with drugs.