Cablegate: Southeast Turkey Press Summary

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ADANA 0392

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
NOVEMBER 14, 2002

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for
November 14, 2002. Please note that Turkish press
reports often contain errors or exaggerations;
AmConsulate Adana does not vouch for the accuracy of
the reports summarized here.

POLITICS, SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS
--------------------------------

2. REPAIR CONTINUES AT ADANA AIRPORT
(Hurriyet/Bolge) Maintenance and repair work
continues at the Adana Airport, which was closed to
flights on November 4. Officials from the State
Airports Administration (DHMI) in Adana said DHMI was
exerting efforts to complete the renovation project
within the stated period of time and re-open it on
December 31. Contracting firm, MON, which won the
bidding tender, has begun to remove the asphalt of the
2,750-meter runway. The estimated cost of the project
is TL 6.8 trillion (approx. USD 4.1 million).

3. VILLAGE RETURN PROJECT
(Milli Gazete/Turkiye) The Siirt Governor's Office
reportedly placed weight on the Village Return Project
in Siirt following the restoration of calm in the
Southeast. Under the project, infrastructure services
have been completed in residential areas and
centralized villages, with residential units
constructed in Eruh's (Siirt) Cizmeli village opened
to evacuees' settlement. Governor Nuri Okutan said he
had mobilized all resources to implement the project,
of which 80% has been completed. "There is quite a
high demand for returns in our region," Okutan added.

ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
--------------------------------------

3. SOUTHEAST ECONOMIC WOE
(Evrensel) Over the past four years, the number of
Guroymak (Bitlis) merchants decreased by 30%, falling
from 480 to 300, due to the economic crisis. Nearly
another 40 merchants are preparing to close down.
Guroymak Merchants and Artisans Chamber President
Fedai Erdanis said dozens of merchants had applied to
the chamber to de-register. "No merchants will remain
in Guroymak at this rate," he added.

4. ADANA BUSINESSMEN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT NEW GOVERNMENT
(Bolge) The board of directors of the Adana Chamber
of Commerce emphasized the importance of the positive
environment created by the one-party government
formula that came out of the November 3 elections in
terms of solving problems facing Adana, as well as
Turkey. They described the outcome as a big
opportunity. "People have displayed their attitudes
toward the coalition governments by giving AKP the
ability to form a single-party government by itself
due to what was experienced during the last (outgoing)
government's period.
HOLTZ

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