SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR JULY 12, 2006

UNCLAS ADANA 000162 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR JULY 12, 2006 This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for July 12, 2006. 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 OZGUR GUNDEM: The U.S. will reportedly stop its operations at its jet fuel supply hub at the port of Yumurtalik in Adana. EVRENSEL / OZGUR GUNDEM: DTP Chairperson Ahmet Turk said that, from now on, as a party which had been making preparations for the next elections, DTP has to engage in efforts to retool its organized structures. Dialogue among the Kurds should be fostered to define a road map for a common ground and perspective among Kurds in order to make demands of the Kurds clear, said Turk. OZGUR GUNDEM: Aziz Azkul, a PKK terrorist whom the Forensic Authority announced was killed by blows to the head on May 25 in Kars, because of an alleged internal PKK disagreement according to 07/11 edition of Hurriyet daily, has been buried in a village of Mardin, reported Ozgur Gundem daily. Hundreds of cars escorted the coffin as it traveled to the village and members of DTP's Mardin chapter have also attended the burial ceremony. OZGUR GUNDEM: The daily continues to cover in its front page with big-size photos the story of alleged extra-judicial killing of a PKK terrorist in August 2005, published photos of that terrorist alive, walking beside security officers shortly after being captured. The daily further named five other terrorists who were also allegedly killed after they were caught. Diyarbakir Bar Association, Mazlum-Der (Solidarity Association for Oppressed People) and Human Rights Association, which has filed a complaint upon those allegations, said they would carry the matter to the European Court if action fails to address the issue. OZGUR GUNDEM: Village guards allegedly opened fire and killed one of the four bothers who came from Igdir province to Erzurum province to work as shepherds following a quarrel over a sheep which the shepherds lost. The other brothers have been wounded. BOLGE / EKSPRES / SABAH (GUNEY) / ZAMAN: The court action brought by 80 fishermen in Adana's Yumurtalik district against BTC (Baku-Tibilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline) will be held on the same day (07/13) when BTC will be opened. HURRIYET (CUKUROVA): Jandarma teams seized 380,100 hemp roots during an operation against drug-trafficking in Siirt. Four people have been detained in connection with the event. SABAH (GUNEY): The daily reported people's suspicions about whether PKK conducted the armed attack that killed Ismail Karabucak, a well-known businessman in Adana (see press summary 07/11). Adana Mayor Aytac Durak was among people who attended the burial ceremony of the businessman. HURRIYET / CUMHURIYET: An investigation will be started against people who opened fire in the air with pistols and long-barreled guns during the wedding ceremony of the couple who are members of influential local clans in Sanliurfa's Bozova district. Sanliurfa deputy from AKP (Justice and Developments Party) was among the guests at the wedding and received criticism from media when people welcomed him by opening fire in the air as he arrived at the wedding scene. REID