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 0439

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,
DECEMBER 31, 2002

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for December 31, 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. MILITARY BUILD-UP ALONG IRAQI BORDER
(Cumhuriyet) Deployment along the Turkey-Iraq
border continues prior to the possible U.S.
operation against Iraq. Turkish military continues
with infrastructure works in the region in
preparation for the operation. Within this
framework, additional materials and equipment are
being transferred to both sides of the border.
Military units sent to the border area have settled
in trailer parks and pilgrimage facilities near
Silopi's (Sirnak) Habur border gate. In addition,
civil defense directorates in Sirnak and Hakkari
provinces are working on measures to be taken
against a possible influx of refugees (from Iraq).
Evrensel quoted the Elazig Civil Defense Director,
Celal Cihan, as stating that (Elazig's) underground
shelters were not secure against chemical and
biological weapons (attacks).

3. INCREASED DISTURBANCE IN THE SOUTHEAST
(Milli Gazete) Disturbance among people in
Hakkari, a Turkish province on the Iraqi border,
has reached a peak due to the possible U.S. attack
against Iraq, with residents taking intense anti-
war security measures. Some residents have sealed
their windows and doors with nylon against chemical
weapons attacks. Hakkari people are concerned
about their relatives in Iraq as well.

4. AKGUNDUZ CAN NO LONGER BECOME MEMBER OF
PARLIAMENT
(Hurriyet) Fadil Akgunduz, who was elected a
Member of Parliament from Siirt in the November 3
parliamentary elections, lost his eligibility to
run for parliamentary elections because the Supreme
Court upheld a two-year prison term and a fine of
TL 750 million (approx. USD 455) given to him by an
Istanbul court for violation of the "Capital Market
Law." Sought for swindling for a long time,
Akgunduz entered the Parliament after November 3,
gaining parliamentary immunity. However, he lost
his standing and immunity when the elections in
Siirt were cancelled. Then, he was arrested and
ordered to remain in custody.

5. INVESTIGATION AGAINST ELECTRICITY THIEVES
(Turkiye) The Turkish Electricity Distribution
Corporation (TEDAS) Diyarbakir Directorate launched
an investigation against 13 TEDAS employees who had
been using electricity illegally.

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

6. SMUGGLED IRANIAN FUEL OIL SEIZED
(Turkiye) Van Jandarma seized a total of 21.2 tons
of illegally-imported Iranian fuel oil in Baskale
township.

7. SHARES TO ISDEMIR WORKERS
(Radikal) Eleven per cent of Iskenderun's (Hatay)
Isdemir Steel Plant's shares were transferred to
Isdemir workers in a December 30 ceremony.
HOLTZ

© Scoop Media