SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2006

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 000037 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU ADANA SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2006 This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for February 15, ¶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 daily reported that today marked the 8th anniversary of Abdullah Ocalan's 1999 capturing in Kenya and his being brought back to Turkey as a result of "the unfortunate concerted efforts of the international community." (Note: The daily emphasized the anniversary as 8th in its front page, but articles inside refer to the time frame that passed as 7. End Note.) Murat Karayilan, a senior leader of the military wing of the PKK, called on all the Kurdish people to fast today, to close down their businesses, not to go outside and not to attend their jobs for today. Many people branded today as a "black day" and will wear black outfits accordingly. An imam reportedly advised the community to pray for Abdullah Ocalan. Separately, the daily provided coverage about the "aggravated" prison condition of Ocalan, and further pointed out that Ankara's 11th Heavy Penalty Court did not provide a copy of the petition submitted by Ocalan demanding the start of his retrial process (see press summary 02/14) to Ocalan's attorneys. HURRIYET ONLINE: Daily Hurriyet, one of Turkey's mainstream newspapers, claimed today on its internet site that despite the ongoing calls of the terrorist organization to date to hold various activities (as February 15 approached),people in Diyarbakir did not respond to these calls today and no one closed their businesses in the streets. The daily claims that ordinary life has been going on safe and sound Diyarbakir. Security forces have already raised security threat levels; but no incidents have been reported to have happened yet. The daily reported people in Agri's Dogubeyazit district as responding to the call of the PKK and said that everybody closed their businesses there. The daily observed some businesses staying closed through the day today in Batman, Hakkari and Siirt and in quarters of Adana. CUMHURIYET: A protest activity and a sit-in protest were held in Diyarbakir yesterday (02/14) under the leadership of DTP (Democratic Society Party) provincial party organization. Nearly 2000 people reportedly attended the event, carried banners reading "Ocalan represents our political will", chanted slogans in support for Abdullah Ocalan. The protest ended peacefully amid the presence of anti-riot teams, police barricades and armored police vehicles. As the group of people was dispersing, a group of youth caused a scuffle. Police detained two persons among the crowd. Tension reportedly lasted briefly. OZGUR GUNDEM: Demonstration activities to protest February 15 have continued reportedly in many parts of the southeastern region including Sirnak, Hakkari, Diyarbakir and Siirt until yesterday (02/14). Hundreds of people reportedly walked as cold weather conditions and snowfall permitted. People, mostly comprised of women and youth, set small fires and walked carrying posters of Ocalan. Activities in the Idil district of Sirnak continued until late hours. Reportedly, 3000 people staged a march in Hakkari's Yuksekova district. People carried banners reading, "Ocalan represents our political will." Hundreds of people in Diyarbakir staged similar protests, made press announcements and chanted slogans extending support to Ocalan amid the presence of armored military vehicles and anti-riot teams. EVRENSEL: According to the daily, people, non-governmental organizations and mayors expressed their disturbance about the presence of military vehicles during a protest activity in Sirnak's Cizre district and demanded an explanation from the government. EVRENSEL: A 21-year-old women attempted to commit suicide in Batman, and was hospitalized. RADIKAL / OZGUR GUNDEM: Murat Karayilan reportedly made an announcement and dismissed allegations of any PKK involvement in the killing of Kani Yilmaz, former European PKK representative who split with the PKK and later established the PWD (Democratic and Patriotic Party),and Sabri Tori, a PWD member, in a car bomb attack in Iraq's Suleymaniyah province this weekend. OZGUR GUNDEM: According to the daily, the powers that surrendered Abdullah Ocalan to Turkey, have aimed at eliminating Ocalan from Middle Eastern politics, a fact which allegedly complies with these powers' medium and long-term policies in the Middle East. OZGUR GUNDEM: Osman Baydemir, Diyarbakir Mayor, completed its program in his U.S. visit which sparked controversies between the U.S. and Turkey and caused PM Erdogan to cancel his trip to the U.S.-Islam World Forum. Baydemir responded to journalist's questions. Reportedly, Baydemir said that instead of focusing on the security aspect of the Kurdish issue, the government should adopt legal changes to enhance democratic participation in politics. Baydemir reportedly demanded that a general amnesty be issued (by the government). SABAH (GUNEY): Alikbek Ceksenkulov, Kyrgyzstan Foreign Minister, and Kyrgyzstan Ambasssador to Ankara, following their visit to Mersin, came to Adana and paid a courtesy visit on the Adana Governor Cahit Kirac. HURRIYET (CUKUROVA): The dispute between two AKP (Justice and Development Party) politicians, Abdullah Dogru, AKP Adana Provincial Chairperson, and Aytac Durak, Adana Mayor, continues. Reportedly, Abdullah Dogru criticized Durak and said, "Is Adana Mayor an almighty person that we can never criticize? Why should I not criticize him? If my people are suffering because of problems erupting, I will speak on behalf of them. If this situation requires me to struggle, I will exert my efforts to struggle." BOLGE / HURRIYET / RADIKAL: Kemal Oncel, the farmer who had a small altercation with the Prime Minister Erdogan during Erdogan's visit to Mersin over the weekend said he regretted his own arrogant manners while talking to Erdogan and was sorry. Oncel withdrew his determination to file a lawsuit against Erdogan. RADIKAL: Adverse weather conditions and snowfall has been badly affecting Bitlis province. The height of snow covering the streets in the city center reached to two meters. The snow reached five meters in the mountainous areas. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS HURRIYET (CUKUROVA): 2nd Adana International Economic Cooperation Forum, which will be held between February 22 and 24, will host the prime minister, four ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister, Minister of Industry and Commerce and two state ministers, and ambassadors from France, Russia, Belarussia, Kazakhstan, Syria and Ozbekistan. ¶2. EVRENSEL: Following the resumption of production in the Adana Tekel Cigarette Factory, production restarted also in Malatya Tekel Cigarette factory and workers ended their strike. REID