This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ADANA 0009
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
JANUARY 10-12, 2004
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for January 10-12, 2004. 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. Evrensel, Hurriyet, Milliyet / According to
Evrensel and Hurriyet, The Washington Post
reported that an agreement has been signed
between Ankara and Washington for the use of
Adana's Incirlik Airbase for the rotation of
American soldiers in Iraq. According to The
Washington Post, the Pentagon's plan is to
remove some 123,000 American soldiers from Iraq
and replace them with 100,000 soldiers.
According to Milliyet, the numbers are 130,000
and 110,000.
3. Cumhuriyet / It is reported that American
soldiers have started to be transferred from
Iraq through Adana's Incirlik Airbase. This
created some questions on Turkey's acceptance
of using Incirlik just for humanitarian aims.
It is also reported that Ankara and Washington
signed a secret agreement to rotate the
soldiers. Ankara hasn't made an official
announcement about the issue yet.
4. Ozgur Gundem / Prisoners in Batman and
Iskenderun wanted the government to change its
policy on prisons. Prisoners complained about
the transfer to F and D-type prisons.
5. Ozgur Gundem / Tunceli Law Bar Head Huseyin
Aygun announced that stamping "terror" on
prisoner relatives' wrists during open visits
in prisons is illegal, and that the responsible
officials could face legal action.
6. Ozgur Gundem / In Hazro, Diyarbakir, Kutbettin
Celik complained about threats from Jandarma 3rd
lieutenant Fatih Gultekin and a person called
"Hasan". He stated that he is being threatened
by them because he is a DEHAP member and is
involved in the local elections.
ECONOMIC
7. Milliyet / Shopkeepers in Incirlik village are
pleased about the news of possible new American
soldiers coming to Incirlik Airbase.
REID