This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ADANA 0062
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ TU ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
MARCH 05, 2003
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for March 05, 2003. 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. ELECTION EXCITEMENT IN SIIRT
( Dunya/Tercuman/Turkiye) Excitement increases
as the elections in Siirt approach. It appears
as though AK Party leader Recep Erdogan will gain
his presidency from Siirt. Erdogan was banned
from politics because of a speech he gave 4 years
ago in the same town. AK Party is confident they
will bring out 3 deputies, since DEHAP withdrew
from the elections. The election will be held on
Sunday March 9, between 6:00 and 15:00. The
following parties will participate in the
election: TKP (Turkish Communist Party), IP
(Labor party), CHP (Peoples Republican Party) and
AK Party (Justice and Development Party). The
other parties have announced that they will not
participate in the election.
3. WAR PREPARATIONS CONTINUE IN BATMAN
(Evrensel) Ramps for Patriot missiles have been
set up in Batman airport and will be operated by
Dutch soldiers. It is reported that 200 trucks
carrying equipment arrived at the Batman airport
under the modernization project. Large numbers of
work machines from various provinces were brought
to Batman Village Services Directorate. It is
reported that the machines are going to be sent
to the camps that will be set up for refugees.
4. ERBAKAN`S DEMAND REJECTED
(Cumhuriyet/Sabah) The State Security Court in
Diyarbakir rejected a request to purge the
judicial records of Necmettin Erbakan, the last
president of the closed Refah party (Prosperity
Party). Erbakan`s attorney, Mehmet Ener pointed
out that the decision would not affect Erbakan`s
right to vote or to be elected.
ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
--------------------------------------
5. NO TO WAR BUT YES TO DOLLAR
(Tercuman) MP Mahmut Duyan, CHP (Peoples
Republican Party) deputy and president of
Industrialist and Businessmen`s Association in
Mardin, said "no to war" and voted against
permitting American troops use Turkish bases. On
the other hand, he rented his factory in
Kiziltepe, Mardin to the American army. Duyan`s
reply to the criticism regarding the issue was
that he had rented a factory that belonged to
him, which is not of interest to anyone and it is
not a contradiction, it is only trade. It is
reported that security forces prevented an
American military attachQ to enter the region.
HOLTZ