SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR MAY 10, 2005

UNCLAS ADANA 000102 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR MAY 10, 2005 This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for May 10, 2005. 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 EVRENSEL / OZGUR GUNDEM: During a visit to Siirt on Saturday, PM Erdogan met with Siirt's AKP Mayor Mervan Gul. Erdogan also met with six Municipality Assembly members from SHP (Social Democratic People's Party). The assembly members reportedly called for an end to military operations in the southeastern region and a general amnesty, in order to foster the establishment of a peaceful society. Erdogan's responded that military operations were carried out for the sake of people's security, adding that without economic stability, peace would be a difficult end to achieve. CUMHURIYET: The paper quotes Mersin's CHP Mayor Macit Ozcan as saying that the AKP has been exercising influence in all Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Turkey. Complaining that such behavior has caused a lack of cooperation in Mersin, Ozcan added that due to their political aspirations, representatives of NGOs are firing criticism at every service rendered by the municipality and opposing all opportunities for people to come together. YENI SAFAK: A dinner organized to resolve a feud between two Kiziltepe families in Mardin province was reportedly attended by members of both families, Mardin Governor Temel Kocaklar, Mardin's AKP deputies and 70th Mechanized Brigade Commander Selahattin Kisacik. YENI SAFAK / OZGUR GUNDEM: Bad weather is affecting life adversely in Erzurum, Mus and Kars provinces. Heavy wind in Kars destroyed roofs of houses, demolished a minaret of a mosque and caused blackouts. Lightening struck and killed two people in Mus. REID