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 0423

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,
DECEMBER 20, 2002

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for
December 20, 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. PROPOSED ANTI-WAR RALLY IN ADANA BANNED
(Bolge) The Adana Security Directorate has reportedly
cancelled the proposed anti-war rally to be held by
the Adana War Opponents Platform on December 22. Two
different newspapers reported different reasons for
the cancellation. Bolge cited a soccer match, while
Evrensel reported that the Adana Governor's office had
refused to grant permission due to sensitivity of the
situation in Iraq, existence of a U.S. base and
consulate in Adana, intelligence that illegal groups
might provoke the rally, and personal security of
American citizens.

3. OPPOSITION TO POSSIBLE U.S. WAR IN IRAQ
(Bolge) Ahmet Kilic, State Employees Union
Confederation (KESK) Term Spokesperson and Haber-Sen
Union Adana chapter President, voiced opposition to
the proposed U.S. operation against Iraq, saying oil
resources underlie U.S.' current Iraq policies.
"People ruling Turkey must under no condition side
with the U.S. aggression," Kilic added. He also
called for the closure of Adana's Incirlik Air Base
and cancellation of the Turkey-U.S. and Israel
agreement. Evrensel cited the Adiyaman Democracy
Platform as calling for a more intense struggle
against the proposed war. In a Diyarbakir meeting,
KESK National President Sami Evren also expressed
opposition to the possible Iraq war.

4. ADANA AIRPORT RENOVATION PROJECT DELAYED
(Bolge) In a press release issued by Adana State
Airports Administration (DHMI) Director Cengiz Asikli,
the repair and maintenance project of the Adana
Airport, closed to flights on November 4, was
suspended on December 19 due to heavy rainfall. The
project will resume after the rain has stopped.

5. KURDISH-LANGUAGE SINGERS ACQUITTED
(Radikal/Cumhuriyet/Evrensel) During the December 19
trial, the Diyarbakir State Security Court acquitted
nine people, among them seven teachers, charged with
"assisting and abetting the PKK" for singing
separatist Kurdish-language songs during the Congress
of the Diyarbakir chapter of the Teachers Union
Egitim-Sen. The acquittal was based on an expert
witness report from the state-run Turkish Radio and
Television (TRT) saying the songs sung at the Congress
were about love, nature and longing.

6. USE OF KURDISH NAMES STILL A PROBLEM
(Evrensel) The Mersin Birth Registry Director refused
to register the Kurdish name "Zozan" ("Plateau") that
parent Ali Askan wanted to give to his four-year-old
daughter.

7. HASHISH SEIZURE
(Turkiye) Acting on a tip, Batman police seized 15
kilograms of hashish powder, 200 kilograms of hashish,
and materials and tools used in producing hashing
powder in two separate operations. Five suspects were
arrested. In addition, 28.9 kilograms of unprocessed
heroin were confiscated in Yuksekova (Hakkari). Four
suspects arrested in connection with the confiscation
were ordered to remain in custody.
HOLTZ

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