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 SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 0420

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ TU ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
DECEMBER 18, 2002

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for December 18, 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. TWELVE SIRNAK PKK SUSPECTS HELD
(Bolge) According to the Sirnak Security
Directorate, a local court ordered twelve people
arrested during a recent anti-PKK/KADEK operation
to remain in custody. The suspects are accused
of providing support and shelter to the terror
organization, recruitment, logistical support,
and communication between KADEK members in rural
areas and those in provincial capitals.

3. TEN SUSPECTS ORDERED HELD IN ELAZIG DRUG CASE
(Turkiye) The Malatya State Security Court
arrested ten of the 14 suspects connected with
the seizure of 3.5 tons of asitanhidrite in
Elazig. The operation was jointly carried out by
U.S., Russian and Turkish police. Security
forces determined the seized drugs belonged to
the PKK/KADEK.

4. NO PERMISSION FOR RETURNS TO DIYARBAKIR
VILLAGES
(Milli Gazete) Diyarbakir Governor A. Cemil
Serhadli said village returns continue in the
region. Serhadli added that his office had
refused to grant permission for returns to 12
villages in Diyarbakir's Lice, Kulp and Dicle
townships due to security reasons. He said there
had not been as many returns as anticipated.

5. HUNGER STRIKE IN SUPPORT FOR OCALAN
(Evrensel) A group of Centennial University
(Van) students started a one-day hunger strike in
support of the "Freedom to (PKK/KADEK leader
Abdullah) Ocalan" petition drive launched by
Dicle (Diyarbakir) University students. Students
pledged they would continue similar
demonstrations until February 15. Also, a group
of Bingol youths gathered at the base of a local
mountain to protest the isolation of Ocalan by
lighting fires and shouting pro-Ocalan slogans.
Another group staged a protest demonstration on
the Bingol-Karliove (Bingol) highway, closing the
highway to traffic for a while.

6. HADEP MEMBERS ARRESTED
(Evrensel) Diyarbakir police arrested a total of
five People's Democracy Party (HADEP) Youth
Commission officials on December 16, allegedly
without explanation. The arrestees were taken to
the Diyarbakir Security Directorate's Anti-terror
Department.

7. CUKUROVA U. SUPPORTS DICLE U. STUDENTS'
PETITON DRIVE
(Evrensel) Cukurova University (C.U.) students
expressed support for the "I Want My University
Student Initiative" campaign launched by Dicle
(Diyarbakir) University students. A group of 50
C.U. students staged a march on the campus,
carrying pro-mother tongue and Kurdish-language
education banners and shouting slogans in favor
of democratic and free universities.
HOLTZ

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