SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY

UNCLAS ADANA 0015 SIPDIS UNCLAS ADANA 0015 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY JANUARY 17-18, 2004 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for January 17-18, 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. ¶2. CULTURE: Vakit / The Malatya Ak Party Deputy Fuat Olmeztoprak announced that a Traning Center will open in Malatya. The training center will provide workshops and contain computer and language labs. ECONOMIC: ¶3. Milliyet / 2003 Trade volume at the Mersin Free Zone increased 68% compared to 2002 and reached USD 2.7 Billion. ¶4. Cumhuriyet / The Syrian Government relaxed the visa process for Turkish business travelers to Syria. Travelers registered with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Turkey will be able to get their visas at the Syrian border as promised by President Esad during his visit to Turkey. ¶5. Ozgur Gundem/ Batman merchants are concerned because 630 Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) temporary workers' contracts are not renewed yet. The Merchants Chamber General Secretary Suleyman Gunes indicated that the SIPDIS Chamber is supporting its members. If the problem is not solved, workers are planning to go to Ankara with their family members to protest. ¶6. Cumhuriyet/ In the Southeast, unemployment figures reached up to 50% in many cities in the region. Population also increased almost 25% since the 1990 census. REID