Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ADANA196
2005-10-28 09:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Adana
Cable title:
SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR OCTOBER 24, 2005
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 000196
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR OCTOBER 24, 2005
This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for October 24,
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
BOLGE: M/V Ulla case has been a continuous headache for
Turkey for nearly six years since M/V Ulla's arrival to the port
of Iskenderun in February 2000 with 2,200 tons of hazardous
toxic cargo. M/V Ulla, which was not allowed to the port and
which had been waiting anchored since then, sank in September
2004 in the Turkish waters as its case awaited resolution by
both Spanish and Turkish governments. Reportedly, to date,
1,400 tons of waste has been removed from the shipwreck and
loaded onto the Panama flagged Amorito Monsovua vessel, which
had been sent by La Farge Company in Spain. However, La Farge
reportedly called the vessel Amorito Monsovua back because of
the slowdown in operations, and the vessel reportedly departed
yesterday night upon obtaining permission from the Turkish
Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Two issues currently seem
unresolved: Firstly, Amorito Monsovua departed before all the
waste was removed. Secondly, the removal team is to find a
better way to address the hardened waste problem. (This article
is from 10/23 edition.)
BOLGE: Members of Adana Egitim-Sen (Teacher's Union)
marched in Adana yesterday and chanted slogans to protest the
case that envisages closure for the Union. Reportedly, the case
will be held on October 27 in Ankara. (This article is from
10/23 edition.)
ZAMAN: A delegation of university rectors headed by Prof.
Erdogan Tezic, Chairperson of YOK (Higher Education Board),came
to Van on Saturday with two planes. Wife of Yucel Askin, VCU's
Vice-rector, Van Deputy Governor, and VCU faculty members
welcomed the delegation at the airport. Meanwhile, a 30-car
convoy waiting outside the airport staged a protest against the
rectors as they were leaving the airport. (Note: Cumhuriyet
reported the number of cars as 15-20. According to Cumhuriyet
the protestors were from AKP, but it is not specified whether
they were party members or only supporters of the AKP. End
Note.) The banners hung on the hoods of the cars read, "Do not
interfere in how the judicial system works", "Rectors, mind your
own business, and do not back the ongoing irregularities." To
evade the angry crowd, the rectors had to change cars. During
Tezic's visit to the Army Corps Jandarma Command in Van, a
crowded group of people continued their protest. Following a
30-minute visit to the Command, Tezic paid a visit to Yucel
Askin, the rector of VCU in jail. (This article is from 10/23
edition.)
ZAMAN: Dogu Perincek, national leader of the IP (Worker's
Party),denied the allegations of a June 5 article published on
a journal, to which he is also the chief author. Reportedly,
the article accused Yucel Askin, rector of the Van Centennial
University, for being a missionary of Christianity. (This
article is from 10/23 edition.)
ZAMAN / SABAH / HURRIYET: Security officers are reportedly
coming close to solving the case of the July 6th killing of
Hikmet Fidan, former national leader of HADEP (People's
Democracy Party). Six alleged former PKK members have been
caught and detained in connection with the murder in Diyarbakir.
The assassin is allegedly a PKK militant.
SABAH: The daily reported that Fikri Canoruc, the rector of
Dicle University in Diyarbakir, is standing trial on charges of
conducting irregularities in eleven separate tenders of Dicle
University.
RADIKAL / HURRIYET: The dailies reported a case of a
19-years-old woman in Adana for whom it had been arranged two
years ago to marry the man that raped her. The court released
the perpetrator on condition that he should marry the victim.
The woman claims that her husband had a habit of beating her
since the start of their marriage. Moreover, the woman alleged
that her husband killed her father six days ago, and threatened
to kill other family members and her, as well. The family
reportedly seeks protection from the state.
CUMHURIYET: According to the daily, a local TV station's program
in Van called on the people to protest YOK (Higher Education
Board) Chairperson Erdogan Tezic's visit to the jailed rector of
Van Centennial University.
CUMHURIYET: The Security Directorate and the Governor's Office
in Eskisehir heightened security measures in the province before
the second hearing of the Ugur and Ahmet Kaymaz trial, which
will be held today. Governor's Office banned all kinds of
demonstrations, street protests, press announcements, etc. The
Security Directorate banned entrance into the city by outsiders.
ZAMAN: According to a report prepared by an (unspecified)
intelligence agency, the terrorist organization PKK has
allegedly set up "so-called" audit boards to inspect those
institutions it had links with, such as DEHAP, DEHAP
municipalities, and DTH (Democratic Society Movement). The
report said that the organization found 90 people guilty as a
result of these inspections. The paper claims that the PKK
policy aims to silence opponents.
ZAMAN: Sadullah Ergun, a senior AKP administrator, said in
Hatay that the group of rectors has breached the rules of the
constitution by going to Van, an act that amounted to
influencing and putting pressure on the judiciary.
OZGUR GUNDEM: Adana Human Rights Association elected its new
board members. The members will elect the chairperson of the
association in the next round.
EVRENSEL / OZGUR GUNDEM: Soldiers allegedly burned nearly
30 tents that belonged to villagers, who earned their livelihood
through animal breeding in summertime in Siirt's Eruh district.
OZGUR GUNDEM: Two people were detained and arrested by
security officers in villages of Bingol's Karliova district on
charges that they aided and abetted the PKK.
EVRENSEL / OZGUR GUNDEM: 23 inmates in a Mardin Jail have
reportedly been banned from the public spaces of the prison.
The inmates are barred from seeing visitors for a month, as
well. These punishments reportedly came because the inmates
went on a hunger strike between August 15 and September 7 to
call for an end to military operations in southeastern Turkey
and the "isolation" of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in a
prison cell.
OZGUR GUNDEM: The daily announced that DTH will eventually
complete the process of forming a political party by means of
holding a two-day meeting, which will start today. Reportedly,
the national leader of the new political party will be Ahmet
Turk, the former HEP (People's Labor Party) national
chairperson.
BOLGE: Reportedly, 17,000 people joined a march organized
by Hakkari Governor's Office to commemorate in Hakkari the 82nd
anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. Students
carried a big Turkish flag and posters of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
the founder of the Turkish Republic.
EVRENSEL: A 16-year-old shepherd was seriously wounded when a
mine went off as he stepped on it while grazing his flock in
Sirnak's Cizre district.
ECONOMIC DEVELEOPMENTS
EKSPRES: Adana Governor Cahit Kirac said that much progress
has been made in the Organized Agricultural Zone (OAZ) project
of Adana. OAZ, which is being built next to the Haci Sabanci
Organized Industrial Zone, aims to promote organic cultivation.
REID
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR OCTOBER 24, 2005
This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for October 24,
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
BOLGE: M/V Ulla case has been a continuous headache for
Turkey for nearly six years since M/V Ulla's arrival to the port
of Iskenderun in February 2000 with 2,200 tons of hazardous
toxic cargo. M/V Ulla, which was not allowed to the port and
which had been waiting anchored since then, sank in September
2004 in the Turkish waters as its case awaited resolution by
both Spanish and Turkish governments. Reportedly, to date,
1,400 tons of waste has been removed from the shipwreck and
loaded onto the Panama flagged Amorito Monsovua vessel, which
had been sent by La Farge Company in Spain. However, La Farge
reportedly called the vessel Amorito Monsovua back because of
the slowdown in operations, and the vessel reportedly departed
yesterday night upon obtaining permission from the Turkish
Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Two issues currently seem
unresolved: Firstly, Amorito Monsovua departed before all the
waste was removed. Secondly, the removal team is to find a
better way to address the hardened waste problem. (This article
is from 10/23 edition.)
BOLGE: Members of Adana Egitim-Sen (Teacher's Union)
marched in Adana yesterday and chanted slogans to protest the
case that envisages closure for the Union. Reportedly, the case
will be held on October 27 in Ankara. (This article is from
10/23 edition.)
ZAMAN: A delegation of university rectors headed by Prof.
Erdogan Tezic, Chairperson of YOK (Higher Education Board),came
to Van on Saturday with two planes. Wife of Yucel Askin, VCU's
Vice-rector, Van Deputy Governor, and VCU faculty members
welcomed the delegation at the airport. Meanwhile, a 30-car
convoy waiting outside the airport staged a protest against the
rectors as they were leaving the airport. (Note: Cumhuriyet
reported the number of cars as 15-20. According to Cumhuriyet
the protestors were from AKP, but it is not specified whether
they were party members or only supporters of the AKP. End
Note.) The banners hung on the hoods of the cars read, "Do not
interfere in how the judicial system works", "Rectors, mind your
own business, and do not back the ongoing irregularities." To
evade the angry crowd, the rectors had to change cars. During
Tezic's visit to the Army Corps Jandarma Command in Van, a
crowded group of people continued their protest. Following a
30-minute visit to the Command, Tezic paid a visit to Yucel
Askin, the rector of VCU in jail. (This article is from 10/23
edition.)
ZAMAN: Dogu Perincek, national leader of the IP (Worker's
Party),denied the allegations of a June 5 article published on
a journal, to which he is also the chief author. Reportedly,
the article accused Yucel Askin, rector of the Van Centennial
University, for being a missionary of Christianity. (This
article is from 10/23 edition.)
ZAMAN / SABAH / HURRIYET: Security officers are reportedly
coming close to solving the case of the July 6th killing of
Hikmet Fidan, former national leader of HADEP (People's
Democracy Party). Six alleged former PKK members have been
caught and detained in connection with the murder in Diyarbakir.
The assassin is allegedly a PKK militant.
SABAH: The daily reported that Fikri Canoruc, the rector of
Dicle University in Diyarbakir, is standing trial on charges of
conducting irregularities in eleven separate tenders of Dicle
University.
RADIKAL / HURRIYET: The dailies reported a case of a
19-years-old woman in Adana for whom it had been arranged two
years ago to marry the man that raped her. The court released
the perpetrator on condition that he should marry the victim.
The woman claims that her husband had a habit of beating her
since the start of their marriage. Moreover, the woman alleged
that her husband killed her father six days ago, and threatened
to kill other family members and her, as well. The family
reportedly seeks protection from the state.
CUMHURIYET: According to the daily, a local TV station's program
in Van called on the people to protest YOK (Higher Education
Board) Chairperson Erdogan Tezic's visit to the jailed rector of
Van Centennial University.
CUMHURIYET: The Security Directorate and the Governor's Office
in Eskisehir heightened security measures in the province before
the second hearing of the Ugur and Ahmet Kaymaz trial, which
will be held today. Governor's Office banned all kinds of
demonstrations, street protests, press announcements, etc. The
Security Directorate banned entrance into the city by outsiders.
ZAMAN: According to a report prepared by an (unspecified)
intelligence agency, the terrorist organization PKK has
allegedly set up "so-called" audit boards to inspect those
institutions it had links with, such as DEHAP, DEHAP
municipalities, and DTH (Democratic Society Movement). The
report said that the organization found 90 people guilty as a
result of these inspections. The paper claims that the PKK
policy aims to silence opponents.
ZAMAN: Sadullah Ergun, a senior AKP administrator, said in
Hatay that the group of rectors has breached the rules of the
constitution by going to Van, an act that amounted to
influencing and putting pressure on the judiciary.
OZGUR GUNDEM: Adana Human Rights Association elected its new
board members. The members will elect the chairperson of the
association in the next round.
EVRENSEL / OZGUR GUNDEM: Soldiers allegedly burned nearly
30 tents that belonged to villagers, who earned their livelihood
through animal breeding in summertime in Siirt's Eruh district.
OZGUR GUNDEM: Two people were detained and arrested by
security officers in villages of Bingol's Karliova district on
charges that they aided and abetted the PKK.
EVRENSEL / OZGUR GUNDEM: 23 inmates in a Mardin Jail have
reportedly been banned from the public spaces of the prison.
The inmates are barred from seeing visitors for a month, as
well. These punishments reportedly came because the inmates
went on a hunger strike between August 15 and September 7 to
call for an end to military operations in southeastern Turkey
and the "isolation" of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in a
prison cell.
OZGUR GUNDEM: The daily announced that DTH will eventually
complete the process of forming a political party by means of
holding a two-day meeting, which will start today. Reportedly,
the national leader of the new political party will be Ahmet
Turk, the former HEP (People's Labor Party) national
chairperson.
BOLGE: Reportedly, 17,000 people joined a march organized
by Hakkari Governor's Office to commemorate in Hakkari the 82nd
anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. Students
carried a big Turkish flag and posters of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
the founder of the Turkish Republic.
EVRENSEL: A 16-year-old shepherd was seriously wounded when a
mine went off as he stepped on it while grazing his flock in
Sirnak's Cizre district.
ECONOMIC DEVELEOPMENTS
EKSPRES: Adana Governor Cahit Kirac said that much progress
has been made in the Organized Agricultural Zone (OAZ) project
of Adana. OAZ, which is being built next to the Haci Sabanci
Organized Industrial Zone, aims to promote organic cultivation.
REID