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 0244
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
SEPTEMBER 13-14-15, 2003
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for September 13-14-15, 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.
POLITICAL, SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS
2. Cumhuriyet / In Iskenderun and Adana, the
Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) "freedom"
meetings turned into PKK/KADEK meetings.
Police warned the group and there was a mild
clash. A police officer was wounded during the
Adana event.
3. Cumhuriyet / In SASA-DupontSA, 253 workers
decided to be members of Petrol-Is Union. The
factory management did not welcome the workers'
decision.
4. Ekspres / Pandora Street people in Adana
protested the Municipality's decision to cut
the trees on their street in order to continue
road repair work.
5. Ekspres / Mujdat Akcinar, Head of Incirlik
Merchants' Association, announced that 350
merchants in Incirlik are in financial crisis
due to the war in Iraq. "Americans in Incirlik
are not allowed to leave the base and 98% of
our sales are with Americans. There are days
some merchants close their shops without any
sales", Akcinar reported.
6. Turkiye / In Iskenderun, Hatay province, 27
Syrians were found in a boat on September 13,
with no legal papers. The Syrians were
planning to go to Cyprus illegally.
7. Evrensel / Diyarbakir Human Rights Organization
(HRO) released its monthly report. According
to the report, 17 people lost their lives
during the clashes in August. HRO also
stressed the possible danger of PKK/KADEK
ending its cease-fire. "Turkish military
operations in the region do not solve the
problem", S. Demirtas, the spokesman of HRO,
stated.
8. Evrensel / In Van and Mus provinces, the
Turkish military deployed 30 specially trained
military personnel together with some village
guards. These personnel will be helping the
military personnel already serving in the area.
9. Evrensel / In Gevas, Van province, three people
were hospitalized for anthrax. Gevas has been
under quarantine since September 8.
10. Sabah Guney / About 50 people from the Human
Rights Organization (HRO), the Democratic
People's Party (DEHAP) and Labor Party (EMEP)
gathered in Adana to protest the September 12,
1980 military coup.
CULTURE and TOURISM
11. Milli Gazete / "Peace Ambassadors", who were
in Iraq to protect Iraqi civilians, visited
Mardin Monastery. The Peace Ambassadors joined
in worshipping with Italian tourists in the
monastery. Gabriel Akkurt, vicar of the
monastery, announced his wish for peace in the
world.
REID