SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

UNCLAS ADANA 000115 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PGOV PHUM TU SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 ¶1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for September 27, 2007. Please note Turkish press reports often contain errors or exaggerations; AmConsulate Adana does not vouch for the accuracy of the reports summarized herein. POLITICAL: ¶2. ZAMAN: In remarks delivered during an iftaar dinner at his residence, U.S. Consul Eric Green said as Ramazan was being observed with compassion and happiness in Turkey and all around the world, he, too, was delighted to share in the experience with local journalists. Chairperson of the Cukurova Journalists' Association expressed appreciation for Consul Green's remarks and thanked him for hosting the dinner and sharing the joy of iftaar. ¶3. RADIKAL / ZAMAN: In a written statement, DTP complained debates over the draft new constitution were mismanaged, causing the debate process to stray from democratic procedures. Additionally, DTP posited recent discussions have adopted a more threatening and polarizing tone against the DTP. SECURITY ¶4. EKSPRES / BOLGE / ZAMAN: An anonymous warning phoned into Adana police two days ago that resulted in police stopping and evacuating a passenger train (see press summary for September 26),proved false, reports today's local papers. ECONOMY ¶5. SABAH (GUNEY): Chairperson of Sanliurfa's Chamber of Commerce and Industry drew attention to the new airport in Sanliurfa (GAP Airport) and urged prospective Haj pilgrims in the region to use this airport to visit Mecca. ¶6. SABAH (GUNEY): Gaziantep Governor Suleyman Kamci said the Turkish-Syrian "Interregional Cooperation Program" that came into effect last year has boosted economic and social ties between the two countries. Twenty-seven out of 81 projects submitted to the program from Gaziantep were awarded $5 million in loans. ¶7. SABAH (GUNEY): Can Suphi, Baku-Tibilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline's Director in Turkey, and, Ali Duru, Chairperson of Ceyhan's Chamber of Commerce, called on Ceyhan District Mayor Huseyin Sozlu. Suphi told Sozlu during the meeting that the operations at the Ceyhan terminal were going on smoothly. CULTURE / SOCIETY / ENVIRONMENT ¶8. SABAH (GUNEY): With the sponsorship of Adana Municipality and Cukurova University, several artists from all over the country gathered in Adana and spent the four weeks carving stone sculptures. The finished art work will be displayed in several locations of the city. Adana Mayor Aytac Durak presented certificates of appreciation to the artists for their efforts. GREEN