SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY APRIL 9, 2004

UNCLAS ADANA 000040

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ TU ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY APRIL 9, 2004



1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for April 9,

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. Hurriyet, Milliyet / In Omerli, Mardin province, a
thirteen year old girl allegedly was sexually abused by several
people, including some government officials. A school deputy
manager's name is also included in the reports. Fourteen people
were arrested and the police are questioning 10 people in
relation to the incident.



3. Zaman, Ekspres, Bolge / Two Adana Yuregir Municipality
Council members, Sami Durmus and Celal Turan were attacked in
front of the municipality building by three unidentified young
men after their first council meeting.



4. Sabah / In Kiziltepe, Mardin province, five police,
including a female police officer, allegedly raped a woman
during the time she was in detention. Mardin Public prosecutors
refused the case, stressing the point that it is impossible for
a woman to rape another woman.



5. Ulkede Gundem / The Turkish Interior Ministry announced
that 92,186 people returned to their evacuated villages in 12
cities in year 2003.



6. Ulkede Gundem / The Turkish army started operations around
the Gabar Mountains in Sirnak province on April 8, 2004. It is
reported that approximately 100 village guards supported the
operations. Two HPG guerillas are reported to have died during
the operations.


CULTURE and TOURISM



7. Cumhuriyet / The Culture and Tourism Ministry applied the
court to display the Zeugma mosaics in Istanbul during the NATO
Summit. The Gaziantep Courts decided that the mosaics should
continue to be under the protection of the Gaziantep Museum
until the end of the court deliberations.