SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY APRIL 27, 2004

UNCLAS ADANA 000051 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ TU ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY APRIL 27, 2004 This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for April 27, ¶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 Zaman / Cukurova University rectorship elections will be held at the end of June. Incumbent Rector Prof. Yalcin Kekec is reported to be a candidate for the rectorship. Ulkede Gundem / Two People's Defence Force members were killed in Eruh, Siirt province, during the Jandarma operations on April ¶15. Families of the members were told by the Siirt Public Prosecutors that they should bury them somewhere outside town to prevent provocations during the ceremonies. Ulkede Gundem, Evrensel / The workers Unions in Adana called on all workers to attend a May 1 meeting in front of Adana's Mimar Sinan Theatre. Petrol-Is Union Head Adil Alaybeyoglu wants May 1 to be a national holiday. Turkiye, Zaman / In Adana, approximately 1500 Harb-Is Union members at Incirlik Air Base are reportedly under threat of losing their jobs after American employers decided to fire 25 workers. HARB-IS Union head Osman Cimen stated that American employers are saving money by firing workers because they are wasting so much money in Iraq. Milliyet / Adana Health Director Serdar Mercan announced that there is an increase in Leshmania cases in Adana. ECONOMIC Zaman / Gaziantep SANKO Executive Board head Abdulkadir Konukoglu announced that SANKO will start a 20 million U.S dollar blue jean treatment business in Bursa with the Italian Martelli Company. REID