TIP IN TURKEY: TURKISH MEDIA ATTENTION, May 1-15,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 ANKARA 002782

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF TU TIP IN TURKEY
SUBJECT: TIP IN TURKEY: TURKISH MEDIA ATTENTION, May 1-15,
2005


1. (U) In response to G/TIP inquiries, national and
international media sources published the following news
articles about TIP in Turkey. Text of articles
originally published in Turkish is provided through
unofficial local FSN translation.


2. (U) Published in Hurriyet on Tuesday, May 3:

TITLE: SHE CAME TO SERVE AS A NANNY, BECAME A SEX
SLAVE

BEGIN TEXT: Twenty-two years were demanded for the
six members of a gang that forced Kyrgyz women, who
were brought as nannies, into prostitution. The women,
who complained about the gang, which involved policemen
as well, told what they experienced.

The prosecution of a 6-person gang, including two
policemen, that allegedly forced into prostitution
Kyrgyz women who were brought to Turkey to serve as
nannies, began. The Istanbul Heavy Penal Court Number

4 began the trial. Suspects Ali Toprak (policeman),
Kyrgyz citizens Gulanda Sasykbaeva and Dina Joroeva,
who are under arrest, attended the court session.
Suspects Ali Satirli (policeman),Burhan Topuz and
Fahriye Bilice are at large but there is an arrest
warrant on them. The Court demanded heavy imprisonment
terms from two to 22 years for the suspects.

In his testimony suspect Ali Toprak said, "My
colleague Ali Satirli called me and requested help for
obtaining visa for his girl friend Yelda's friend. I
took them to the Foreigners Department. I'm
innocent."

Dinara Amankulova, who filed a complained against the
suspects, said that she came to Turkey to serve as a
nanny. She noted that the suspects beat her and
forced her into prostitution. She said that they
turned her into a sex slave.

Nazgul Tokonbaeva said that Dina Joroeva first sold
her to a woman called Yelda who sold her along with
four people to men.

Victim Zinagul Taichieva, too, testified at the court.

After studying the evidence, the court released Ali
Toprak.

The court was adjourned in order to listen to victim
Roza Raeva. END TEXT.


3. (U) Published in Cumhuriyet on Tuesday, May 3:

TITLE: Prostitution Operation in Istanbul

BEGIN TEXT: Necdet D., and Zekeriya K. in Istanbul
and Okan G., in Sanliurfa were detained for allegedly
forcing foreign women into prostitution.

Necdet D., and Zekeriya K., were arrested by the
court.

Works are underway for capturing three other suspects
who are believed to be in Sanliurfa. END TEXT.


4. (U) Published in Cumhuriyet on Sunday, May 1:
TITLE: Is there Child Pornography?

BEGIN TEXT: There is no data in Turkey on children who
were subject to commercial exploitation. But it is
known that their number is not small. In recent years
the fastest growing exploitation is pornography
because its production, duplicating and distribution
is very easy.

Harika Yucel is a psychologist. She also is the
coordinator of a study by ECPAT on children who were
subject to commercial exploitation in Turkey. The
research in Diyarbakir and Istanbul looks for answers
to questions such as, "What is the status of
commercial exploitation involving children?" "What
types are more widespread?" "What is the policy of the
media on this issue?" and "What are the protective
measures?" We spoke to Yucel on child pornography in
Turkey.
Would you talk about yourself first?
I've been working for six years with groups that are
under risk. At the Association for Renewed Health and
Education, I dealt with children who lived on the
streets and especially girls who were subject to
commercial exploitation. For the last six months I
have been working with adolescents who are at intensive
risk and their families at the Community Center in
Umraniye. We provide education and psychological
support to these kids and their families.
What is the status of child pornography in Turkey?
Although one may not hear a lot about child pornography
in Turkey, it is an existing problem. Globalization
and the developments in digital technology turned this
issue into a problem that crosses the borders. It is
very, very simple to produce, duplicate, exchange them.
One can reach a photograph issued anywhere around the
world on the Internet or you can produce and market
something else. Pornography is one of the fastest
growing types of sexual exploitation right now around
the world.

What kind of results did you obtain in the ECPAT study?
It won't be right for me to say anything about the
results because the study is not yet over. Sexual
exploitation is kept as a secret and it is hard to find
data on it. It is the same around the world. With
this study we will take the picture of the status of
children who are exposed to commercial exploitation in
Turkey. The study will be completed in a month or two.
But this is only the beginning. Later we will prepare
a campaign for convening a national consultation and an
action plan meeting with the participation of all
experts on the issue and necessary measures to be taken
will be determined. For this study we met with those
who sell pornographic products. If we can obtain
permission, we will also meet with children who were
exploited commercially and who are under protection.
When we asked whether there was child pornography to
those who sell pornographic material, they say "No."
But if we ask for "minor pornography" they say that
they have it. As is the case around the world in
Turkey, too, people don't think that until the age 18
all are considered a child. It is thought that if a
person's body is developed, he/she no longer is a
child. Another defense mechanism is that in the child
pornography they sell, it is foreign kids playing.

What is the scope of child pornography?
There is a dispute in the world on this issue. In
general it is defined as showing a child in actual
action or pretension of being involved in a sexual act
or to expose the genitals of the child. There is a
debate that "artistic" activities with pictures and
graphics should be evaluated as part of expression of
freedom and democratic rights. But all these indicate
that there can be sexuality between a child and an
adult. All children from babyhood on can be used as a
sexual material. But the real risk is for the
adolescents because they are considered as adults.
There are many websites that use the rhetoric like high
school students and virgins. Mostly adolescents enter
the Internet. There are many traps in particular in
the chat sites. Photographs and chats there can be
used for very different purposes.

If there a profile for those who view child
pornography?
There is not a particular profile. But particularly it
is the men. Reaching a certain social or cultural
status is not a determining factor. In the past it was
said that people who watch such things had suppressed
sexuality. But the research now shows that there is no
longer such a difference.

What is the satisfaction lying beneath?
Many people think that if a child shows sexual
development there would not be a problem in entering a
relation with him/her. This also has something to do
with gratifying youth and beauty. On the other hand,
it also has something to do with power and authority.
In relationship with a youngster, the person feels more
powerful. I believe there has been sexual exploitation
aiming at youngsters for centuries. But when you look
at the issue from pornography, you see a serious
change.
Is it the Internet that played a key role?
Yes there are many websites on the Internet that
include child pornography. They constantly change
their names and addresses. By creating a virtual
credit card and without identifying yourself, you can
"shop" from these sites. Indeed some websites require
depositing serious fees to admit members. Some others
demand pictures or photographs never aired before to be
presented for new memberships. Interpol is trying to
detect those who enter child pornography sites. But it
could reach a few. Very few of the kids whose pictures
and photographs were aired could be reached. END TEXT.


5. (U) Reported by Anadolu Ajansi on Tuesday, May 3:

BEGIN TEXT: A panel discussion was held on child
pornography at the Gazi University on May 3, 2005.

Prof. Oguz Polat, Head of the Forensic Medicine
Department at the Marmara University, argued that
children end up on the streets in Turkey basically
because of child exploitation. He stressed the
importance of children living through the role that
his/her age requires. He added that economic, as well
as physical exploitation of children affect children
badly. Polat noted that child exploitation includes
all types, such as physical, sexual, emotional
exploitation and negligence. He argued that the
percentage of children in secondary education who are
beaten in Istanbul was 87. He added that 91 percent of
women who leave their houses because of domestic
violence and take refugee in shelters were beating
their children.

Polat stated that sexual exploitation of children in
general occurs when a child is between 8-11. He added
that it was one of the exploitations hardest to detect.
Polat noted that when one studies the court cases of
those exploited sexually by their relatives, you see
that 57 percent are exploited by their own fathers.
Four percent by their own older brothers, three percent
by their close relatives, and 26 percent by a second
degree relative.

Prof. Ayse Yalin, president of the Turkish Psychologist
Association, said that mostly kids between 9-11 were
subject to sexual exploitation. She noted that ten
percent of such kids were under the age of six. She
noted that sexual exploitation affects the health and
development of a child in a bad manner. END TEXT.


6. (U) Published by Kosovareport, Tuesday, May 10,
www.kosovareport.blogspot.com:

TITLE: Gul: "We support the realization of the
standards of international community prior to a final
status on Kosovo"

BEGIN TEXT: Bucharest (A.A.) - 10.05.2005 - Turkish
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul
has indicated today (Tuesday) that Turkey supports the
realization of the standards of international community
prior to a final status of Kosovo.

Participating in a meeting of the ministers of foreign
affairs within the framework of Southeast European
Countries Cooperation Process, Gul remarked that the
status quo in Kosovo is a matter of concern for the
whole region. "There are problems that have not been
resolved. High levels of unemployment and the
instability in the economy continue to be threats to
stability in Kosovo," mentioned Gul.

Gul stressed that Kosovo must be supported with
economic packages. "The solution in Kosovo would be
possible with the participation of all groups involved.
Dialog between the main groups is essential for the
resolution of all disputes in Kosovo," told Gul.

Gul commented that the maintenance of peace and
stability in the Balkans would be beneficial for every
one. "The international organizations can play a vital
role in the region," expressed Gul.

Gul noted that Turkey supports NATO's "open door"
policy and added that NATO is open to all countries
that meet the basic criteria.

Gul said that countries must cooperate full in order to
deal with immigration, organized crime and human
trafficking. Gul stated that Turkey is ready to do all
it can to fight against international terror.
"International terror is a threat to the region and the
whole world itself," declared Gul. END TEXT.


7. (U) Published by Chisinau Infotag on Tuesday, May 10:

TITLE: Moldovan-Turkish Sex Trafficking Ring
Eradicated

BEGIN FBIS TRANSLATED TEXT: Chisinau, 10 May: The
[Moldovan] law-enforcement agencies have exposed and
eradicated a ring of Moldovan-Turkish traffickers, who
earned more than 1m dollars by sexually exploiting a
large number of Moldovan girls.

The Interior Ministry's press service told Infotag that
the network consisted of three Moldovan criminal rings
headed by a 38-year-old Turkish national,(?Mustafa
Estimez). These groups, called the Central group, the
Gypsy group and the Gagauz group, were active in
central and southern parts of Moldova in 2001-04.

About 20 victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation
were found in brothels in Turkey owned by the Turkish
citizen. The traffickers had promised girls that upon
their arrival to Turkey they would work as dancers in
night clubs.

The law-enforcement agencies have identified all
members of the trafficking ring and detained seven of
them, including their leader (?Mustafa Estimez). Ten
criminal cases have been filed against them. Some of
the detainees face life imprisonment.
Infotag note. Since the beginning of this year, 87
cases of women trafficking, 25 cases of child
trafficking and 31 cases of prostitution have been
discovered. END TEXT.


8. (U) Published by Islamic Republic News Agency on
Wednesday, May 11, www.irna.ir:

TITLE: Pakistan, Greece to cooperate in anti-terror
war

BEGIN TEXT: Pakistan and Greece have agreed to enhance
cooperation to curb the menace of human trafficking,
narcotics and drugs and war on terrorism.

This was agreed between a meeting of the Interior
Minister Mr. Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Greek
Minister for Public Order Mr. George Voulgarakis in
Islamabad on Wednesday.

Both the sides also signed an agreement to curb the
menace of human trafficking, production and trafficking
of narcotics and drugs, war on terrorism and organized
crime.

Both the countries have also agreed to launch a
campaign among the people to create awareness about the
negative impacts "of illicit human trafficking,"
Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao and Mr. Voulgarakis
told a joint news conference.

Pakistan and Greece have also agreed to contact Iran
and Turkey which are used as a land route for human
trafficking to "Greece from Pakistan for taking
measures to control this menace," Sherpao said.

He said Pakistan had proposed a meeting of the four
countries to discuss the issue in Athens. "Both the
countries will convince Iran and Turkey to extend
cooperation in other fields also including forensic
technology, methods of criminology research and prevent
illegal entry in the both countries.

He appreciated Pakistan's role in the war against
terrorism and said his country looks more important
role of Pakistan in this war in future also.

He said that strengthening relations with Greece will
also help Pakistan to further cement its ties with the
European Union.

About seventy thousand Pakistanis are working in
Greece, who proved themselves as a peaceful community
and the "government is working to legalize their stay,"
the Greek official added. END TEXT.


9. (U) Reported by Kiev Kanal 5 TV in Ukrainian on
Saturday, May 7:

BEGIN FBIS TRANSLATED TEXT: Ukraine and Turkey will
ease visa procedures for the nationals-businessmen and
international haulage drivers. Agreement was reached
to prepare an appropriate document, the Ukrainian
Foreign Ministry's press service has said.

The two parties also decided to sign an agreement on
extradition of criminals and cooperation in human
trafficking very soon. END TEXT.


10. (U) Published by Bucharest Observatorul Militar on
Thursday, April 28:

TITLE: Romania Organizes International Conference on
Black Sea Security, Cooperation

BEGIN FBIS TRANSLATED TEXT: The international
conference considering the "Black Sea Area and Euro-
Atlantic Security: Strategic Opportunities" took place
last week at the Cotoceni Presidential Palace. The
conference was organized by the Romanian Presidency,
with the assistance of the American, British and German
Embassies to Bucharest, and of the "George C. Marshall"
European Center for Strategic Studies and of the
Association "George C. Marshall" Romania. Its goal
was, as President Traian Basescu pointed out in his
opening speech, the debate of the Black Sea-related
problems, as well as the search for "solutions apt to
best meet both the legitimate national interests, and
the need for security of the Euro-Atlantic community."
Considered in a wider context, the Black Sea area
includes both the countries located along the sea
coast, and the Caucasus states, whose geographic
proximity is doubled by their identify of economic and
cultural interests with the countries in the Black Sea
area. Moreover, the present and future interests of
the European Union and of the North-Atlantic Alliance
lead to the need to set up good relations between
Romania and Bulgaria, which are both NATO members and
future EU members, on the one hand, and among the
countries interested in setting up partnerships with
those organizations, on the other hand. In that
context, Romania's initiative of starting such debates
and cooperation actions helps achieve a higher level of
understanding of the situation in the Black Sea area,
and, at the same time, promotes our country as an
important actor in the region.

Many speakers expressed their opinions in the debates:
ambassadors, professors, or representatives of several
institutions that cooperate in the field of security.

Mihai Stanisoara, president of the Defense Commission
of the Chamber of Deputies, Dr. John Rose, president of
the "George C. Marshall" European Center for Strategic
Studies, and Dr. Roger Kangas, professor at the same
prestigious institution, made exclusive declarations
for the military press.

[Observatorul Militar] Will there also be cooperation
at the level of the parliaments in the countries in the
region, on the subject of the strategic opportunities
offered by the Black Sea area?

[Stanisoara] Certainly, as the parliamentarians are
authorized by the people's vote, who work alongside
with the experts in the ministries in the field. By
their activity and by a dialogue with the citizens,
they can inform the people regarding plans for the
future, and can assure a consultation, capable of
placing the citizens at the center of the political
decision making process.

[Observatorul Militar] What is the importance of the
Black Sea area?

[Stanisoara] Its importance is given by the increasing
interest of both the EU and the United States, as well
as of other actors in the region. Beside the fact that
it is an area of a strategic military importance, it is
also a crossing point of several goods transportation
routes, power conveyance networks, and of cultural
cooperation.

Dr. John Rose

[Observatorul Militar] What was the goal of this
conference?

[Rose] Its goal was that to give the possibility to
important leaders o the international and Romanian
community to meet, have the possibility to discuss,
find political solutions, and set up new connections.

[Observatorul Militar] Which are the countries in the
Black Sea area that have been the main targets of this
conference?

[Rose] We can see which they are by just looking at the
black Sea map: Bulgaria, Romania, the Republic of
Moldova, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the countries in the
Caucasus region. In other words, all the countries
located by the Black Sea coast, plus a few other
countries that are located in its vicinity, and had to
participate in the conference.

[Observatorul Militar] Why did the countries in the
Caucasus region have to also participate?

[Rose] Because the security subjects discussed here
will influence the political developments in the whole
Black Sea region.

[Observatorul Militar] How do you see the development
of the region in the following five years?

[Rose] There are two variants, which are equally
possible. One of them is that we will solve some of
the most difficult problems-drug and personnel
trafficking, terrorism, border security-and thus will
create the pre-requisites for a generation of peace,
stability, and economic growth. If we are not able to
solve those problems, we will have a generation that
will be confronted with conflicts, war, and
instability, and this is something that nobody wants.

[Observatorul Militar] What is the role that Romania
plays in assuring the achievement of the first variant?

[Rose] First of all, Romania has already assumed a
leading role. Nobody needs to tell the people who live
in the Black Sea region what their problems are,
because they know them very well. The only thing that
they have to do is find the will to start solving those
problems, and this is what Romania is doing. It
invites the other countries in the region to discuss
those problems, to develop a mutual trust, and I hope
that this will lead to the carrying out of more stable
actions, and to finding variable solutions.

Dr. Roger Kangas

[Observatorul Militar] What this the identity of the
Caucasus and of the Black Sea?

[Kangas] The countries in the Caucasus region are in a
special position. Their identity has been tied to the
one of the Soviet Union for many years, as they were
its members. What can we say about their position now?
Are they located in the Middle East, in Asia, in
Europe? Our colleagues in Georgia consider themselves
as Europeans. Georgia is a Christian state; it has
commercial relations with Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria,
Ukraine, and this is why it wants to follow the same
course as the others do. Their goal can be fulfilled
if they create their Black Sea identity.

[Observatorul Militar] What will happen if this
identity is not created? What if the European variant
is refused to them?

[Kangas] This possibility also exists. Nothing we can
say about the future can be 100% certain. They will
probably reconsider their position if conflicts
continue in the region, for example, or if the states
decide to change their orientation, or if the European
organizations and the security structures, such as
NATO, for instance, decide to no longer get involved in
the Caucasus region. They will probably remain a part
of the former Soviet space, or will choose to orient
themselves toward the south, toward Turkey, Iran, or
other countries in West Asia. I myself believe that
NATO and the EU consider this region as an important
one, and that they will certainly play an important
part in the region.

[Observatorul Militar] Could a rift from the EU and
NATO become a security risk?

[Kangas] Possibly, but the major challenge is for the
countries in the region to cooperate. The southern
Caucasus has unfortunately never been a stable region,
but if economic relations improve, we will probably be
able to also work on the political relations, and solve
the security problems, one by one.

[Observatorul Militar] Do you believe in the
possibility that those countries come to work together?

[Kangas] The Marshall Center has a course on security
in the southern Caucasus that is attended by people
from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and Russia, who are
dealing with security issues for four weeks. We can
see the tensions that are being created, but
cooperation is possible if all interested parties make
compromises, to a certain extent. It is true that
there are animosities and tensions among them, but
organizations such as NATO or OSCE can intervene, and
solve those conflicts. END TEXT.


11. (U) Published by Southeast European Times
(www.setimes.com) on Wednesday, May 11:

TITLE: Greece Takes Over SEECP Chairmanship from
Romania

BEGIN TEXT: The eighth summit of the South-East
European Co-operation Process (SEECP) began in
Bucharest on Tuesday (10 May),marking the end of
Romania's one-year term as the organization's chairman-
in-office and the beginning of Greece's mandate. The
two day event began with a meeting of the heads of
government of the nine member states-Albania, Bosnia
and Herzegovina (BiH),Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece,
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Turkey.
Representatives of a number of international
organizations are also attending, including the EU, the
OSCE, the UN, NATO, the Council of Europe and the
Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. According to
a Romanian Foreign Ministry statement, the main topic
on the agenda is SEECP's role in democratic stability
processes and as a platform for regional co-operation.

Co-operation was the theme of Romanian President Traian
Basescu's opening address. Noting that countries in
the region face common challenges, "from terrorism to
trafficking in human beings and organized crime," he
urged them to work together to find solutions.
The summit took place less than a month after Romania
and Bulgaria signed their accession treaty with the EU.
Greece is the only SEECP country that is already an EU
member.

"I am convinced that Bulgarian President Georgi
Parvanov and Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis
will agree with me that we should share our countries'
experience in order to speed up the processes in the
Western Balkan countries," Bulgaria's Focus agency
quoted Basescu as saying. Membership in the Euro-
Atlantic structures is the only option for achieving
security and stability in the region, he added.
Addressing the foreign ministers of Tuesday, Romanian
Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu said SEECP
countries have a common goal of joining the EU and
should thus overcome the legacies of the past.
Stressing the importance of partnership, and sharing of
experience on the road to Europe, the prime minister
said that economic co-operation, joint efforts in
fighting organized crime and corruption, and
harmonization of the judicial system with EU standards
were some of the major challenges in confronting the
countries. Tariceanu called for strengthened security
in the Balkans and for working in partnership with the
EU and NATO. He added that Kosovo is one of the
important issues today, not only for the UN but for the
entire region.

Regional media reports on Tuesday also cited Kosovo as
one of the key issues the SEECP country leaders were
expected to discuss during the summit. Other topics
mentioned included the development of infrastructure in
the region and the co-ordination of co-operation
processes.

Describing the issue of Kosovo's future status as a
very delicate matter, with a potentially enormous
impact on regional stability and security, BiH Foreign
Minister Mladen Ivanic said it could only be resolved
through dialogue and in the best interests of all
sides.

On Tuesday, Serbia-Montenegro Foreign Minister Vuk
Draskovic sought support from the SEECP member states
for his country's bid to join NATO's Partnership for
Peace programme. Serbia-Montenegro does not deserve
isolation, Draskovic told the summit, voicing hope that
NATO membership was a viable target for 2007, to be
followed by EU accession. END TEXT.


12. (U) Published by VOA News on Saturday, May 14:

TITLE: Kenya Investigates 69 Bangladeshis for Alleged
Terrorism, Drug Trafficking

BEGIN TEXT: Police in Kenya say they have arrested 69
Bangladeshis and are investing them for possible links
to terrorism, drugs and human trafficking.

Police say they picked up the men late Friday from two
houses in an upscale area of the coastal city of
Mombassa after an anonymous tip.

They say officers found very little in the houses, only
mattresses, small amounts of food and computers.

A Kenyan caretaker of the houses also was arrested.
The Kenyan told police that all the Bangladeshis were
crew members of two vessels, sailing from Turkey.
However, police say the men did not have seafarers'
identification documents.

Bangladesh's foreign ministry says it is trying to get
details about the arrests through its embassy in
Nairobi. It says the suspects may be migrant workers
who went to Kenya in search of jobs. END TEXT.


13. (U) Published at Turks.US (www.turks.us) on Saturday,
May 14:

TITLE: A Turkish man has been detained by Greek police

BEGIN TEXT: A Turkish man has been detained by Greek
police for human trafficking on the eastern Aegean
Greek Island of Lesbos. The man who has been
identified as 26-year-old Deniz Atisi was arrested
Friday and is due to appear before Magistrates on
Saturday.

The smuggler was in the act of trafficking 13
immigrants at the time of arrest. It is believed that
the Turkish people-trafficker was ferrying the illegal
immigrants from Turkey to Europe.

The immigrants from Algeria, Palestine, Lebanon, and
Pakistan were forced into the sea by Deniz as he saw
the Greek coast-guard approaching. Deniz was aboard
the seven-meter speed boat, which was believed to have
ferried the illegal immigrants to the Greek island.

Later on an immigrant from India was found dead. END
TEXT.


14. (U) Published by The Peninsula, Qatar's Leading English
Daily, on Sunday, May 15:

TITLE: Bangladeshis held in Kenya could be job
seekers: FM

BEGIN TEXT: Dhaka: Bangladesh's foreign minister said
yesterday 69 Bangladeshis arrested in Kenya "may be job
seekers" looking for better futures abroad through
unauthorized travel agents.

The Bangladeshis were arrested by police in the Kenyan
port city of Mombassa late on Friday. Kenyan police
said they were investigating the men for possible links
to terrorism, drugs and human trafficking.

"They may be job seekers. We've asked our embassy in
Kenya to send us a report," Bangladesh's Foreign
Minister M Morshed Khan said in Dhaka.

"These things are happening every now and then. We are
taking steps to control these incidents," the minister
said, referring to recent arrests of Bangladeshis in
Algeria, Mauritania and Italy.

Police in Kenya said they found mattresses but no beds
and a few bags of rice in the houses where the men were
staying in Mombassa's upmarket estate of Nyali.

Kenyan police said none of the men who were arrested
could speak English and that they had been forced to
communicate using sign language.

Many Bangladeshis travel each year through legal and
illegal channels to seek jobs in Western Europe in a
bid to flee the poverty of their homeland.

Their journey can take years with migrants spending
months in transit countries in northern and eastern
Africa before reaching western Europe.

The country has more than 2,000 illegal travel
agencies, according to the Bangladesh Travel Agents
Society, which describes outlets as fronts for "people
traffickers" that prey on the desperation of the poor.

Meanwhile, Kenyan police said yesterday they were
investigating 69 Bangladeshi nationals arrested in the
country's port city of Mombassa for possible links to
terrorism, drugs and human trafficking.

The suspects, who were seized in the Friday night
operation, were living in two houses in a plush area of
Mombassa, heavily guarded by private security.

"We have confirmed that they are all Bangladesh
nationals and there is no single Pakistanis as earlier
thought," local deputy police chief John Mbijjiwe said
by phone. "We are now pursuing three lines in our
investigations: whether they are linked to terrorism
activities, drugs or human trafficking," he said.

Mbijjiwe refused to disclose where the men were
detained, but witnesses said they were in the city's
Port Police Station. Officials said most of the seized
passports - some which had Ethiopian immigration seals
- appeared fake, but would still be screened by
immigration experts to ascertain their veracity.

A Kenyan caretaker of the houses, Ali Masudi, was also
arrested, Mbijjiwe said. On Friday, Masudi told police
that the Bangladeshis were crew members of two vessels,
sailing from Turkey, which were to dock and pick them
up at Mombassa harbour on May 25 and 27, but they did
not have seafarers' certificates.

Mbijjiwe refused to comment on the claims, saying
everything would also be investigated. Kenyan
authorities have voiced concerns that traffickers in
drugs and people are increasingly looking toward Kenya
- notably the coastal region, a poor country suffering
from endemic corruption, as a safe way-station for
illicit drugs and human beings.

In December last year, anti-narcotics officers seized a
massive quantity of cocaine-the biggest haul in the
east African nation since its independence from Britain
in 1963-in two separate raids in Nairobi and Malindi
town, near Mombassa. END TEXT.


15. (U) Published by China View (www.chinaview.cn) on
Sunday, May 15:

TITLE: Kenyan police probe 63 Bangladeshis for alleged
terrorism, drug trafficking

BEGIN TEXT: Nairobi, May 15 (Xinhuanet)-Kenyan police
confirmed here on Sunday that they have arrested 63
Bangladeshis and are probing them for possible links to
terrorism, drugs and human trafficking.

Police said the suspects, believed to be Asian of
Bangladeshi origin, were arrested in the port city of
Mombassa on Friday night.

Mombassa deputy police boss John Mbijjiwe confirmed
that all those detained are men from Bangladesh who are
suspected of holding false passports.

"We are now investigating alleged criminal activity
involving terrorism, drug and human trafficking,"
Mbijjiwe told Xinhua by telephone.

But he added that the suspects could also be linked to
money laundering, drugs trafficking or being in the
country illegally. Police have recovered 24 fake
passports.

Mbijjiwe declined to disclose how the suspects entered
the country, saying none of the suspects could speak
English.

"The search revealed even more. We found gemstones,
electronic equipment, air tickets, rubber stamps and
even pornographic material," the deputy police boss
said.

Mbijjiwe said that a Kenyan caretaker of the houses was
also arrested.

Sources said that all the Bangladeshis were crew
members of two vessels, sailing from Turkey. However,
police said the men did not have seafarers'
identification documents.

The Bangladeshi authorities said they may be job
seekers seeking a better future, not criminals.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan said in Dhaka
that some such incidents had taken place in recent
times and the government is taking necessary steps,
including actions against so-called unauthorized travel
agents to put a brake on undocumented migration. END
TEXT.


16. (U) Published by Baku Olaylar on Friday, May 13:
TITLE: Human Rights Defender says 248 Women Trafficked
from Azerbaijan in 2004

BEGIN FBIS TRANSLATED TEXT: A total of 520 women were
subjected to violence in 2004, 248 of them were victims
of human trafficking, the Clean World public union for
civil rights has said.

The union's chairwoman, Mehriban Zeynalova, said that
there were women in all regions of Azerbaijan who fall
victims to human trafficking.

"Human traffickers were formerly taking women to
Turkey, the UAE, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iran and
Russia. This network is expanded now. They are now
taking women to the United States, Israel, South Korea,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Oman and Canada. All this allows
us to say that the network is controlled by fairly
influential agencies, otherwise it would not be so easy
to run this business.

"We have provided 14 women with legal and psychiatric
assistance since last August. Five of them were Uzbek,
one Moldovan and the rest our citizens," Zeynalova
said. END TEXT.

EDELMAN