Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06ADANA196 | 2006-09-07 09:47:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Consulate Adana |
VZCZCXRO3488 RR RUEHDA DE RUEHDA #0196/01 2500947 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 070947Z SEP 06 FM AMCONSUL ADANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4281 INFO RUEUITH/AFOSI DET 521 ANKARA TU RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0828 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 0721 RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/AFOSI DET 522 INCIRLIK AB TU RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT MEADE MD RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 0882 |
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 000196
SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PGOV PHUM TU SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER 06, 2006 This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for September 6, 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 HURRIYET / ZAMAN: According to dailies, two PKK terrorists who hitched a ride with a family on a road in Batman's Kozluk district, opened fire from that car at Jandarma officials doing road checks for their search for the terrorists. The exchange of fire between the two terrorists and security officials killed the two terrorists in the back seat and a ten year old girl sitting in the front seat (see press summary 09/06). The mother of the girl was wounded and the girl's brother, who was driving the car, incurred a minor wound. Batman Security Director expressed his sorrow and said that the girl was shot dead in error by police during the crossfire. Reportedly, explosives and automatic guns were found with the bodies of the terrorists. RADIKAL / OZGUR GUNDEM: The dailies report statements by the Batman chapter of Human Rights Association (HRA) about the killing of a 10 year old girl, Mizgin Ozbek, in Batman's Kozluk district allegedly by the security officials. According to HRA officials, who spoke with the mother of the girl at the hospital, the girl was sitting at the back seat with two young persons who asked for a ride from the family. As the car was traveling, security officials allegedly suddenly opened fire at the car without shouting a demand to halt or without any attempt to stop the car. HRA officials pointed out that the back seat of the car was allegedly targeted during the incident and all of the people who died were in the back seats. HRA also said that there were no guns in the car. OZGUR GUNDEM: HPG (People's Protection Forces) reportedly dismissed any involvement of the PKK with the explosion that took place in Van's Catak district (see press summary 09/05). ZAMAN: A PKK member reportedly surrendered to security officials at Agri's Provincial Jandarma Command. EVRENSEL / ZAMAN / OZGUR GUNDEM: European Court heard statements of two parties concerning the controversial case of national election threshold in Turkey, which, according to former DEHAP politicians, has been hindering the representatives of the electorate base to win seats in the Turkish parliament (see press summary 09/05). According to Turkey's stance, the election threshold is necessary for political stability in Turkey. SABAH (GUNEY): Second Army Corps Commander Lieutenant General Dursun Bak, who retired from his post recently, paid a farewell visit to the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce. Democratic organizations in Mersin also protested the government for its considerations about sending troops to Lebanon. SABAH (GUNEY): Non-governmental organizations and political parties in Adana protested the AKP government for its recent attempt to contribute troops to the UN force in Lebanon. The protesting group laid a black wreath in front of the AKP provincial party building. SABAH (GUNEY): Under sponsorship of Gaziantep Governor's Office, some organizations in Gaziantep have undertaken efforts to organize a festival called "International Golden Pistachio Festival" between September 14 and 17. BOLGE: The queue of trucks waiting to be processed at the Oncupinar Border Gate in Kilis province formed an 8 kilometer line because of the workload at the border gate and slowness of operations on the Syrian side. A team from the Ministry of Transportation met with the Syrian authorities about the issue last week, but there was only a slight change in the pace of the operations afterwards. Meanwhile, Zaman daily pointed out that issues at the Oncupinar Border Gate and Cilvegozu border gate in Hatay have adverse affects on vegetable and fruit exports from Turkey. BOLGE: Chairperson of Adana's Chamber of Industry will take part in a symposium called 'Regional Development and Administration' in Ankara which is an event organized by Middle East Technical University and Foundation for Research on ADANA 00000196 002 OF 002 Turkey's Economic Policies. BOLGE / EKSPRES: Registrations for the 2006-2007 academic semester in Adana's Cukurova University will end on September 8. Registrar's Office required the students, who came to register themselves, to comply with the university regulations about not wearing religious headscarves at the university. Some of the students who refused to uncover their head reportedly were not able to register. BOLGE: The daily reports rumors surfacing in the political arena of Adana. A distinguished businessman of Adana has reportedly been making preparations for his future candidacy (from AKP) for the mayorship of Adana two years ahead of the local elections. The daily did not provide the name of the businessman in its report. GREEN |