Cablegate: Southeast Turkey Press Summary for March 10, 2005

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ADANA 000048

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ TU ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR MARCH 10, 2005

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for March
10, 2005. Please note that Turkish press reports often contain
errors or exaggerations; AmConsulate Adana does not vouch for
the accuracy of the reports summarized here.

2. EVRENSEL / OZGUR GUNDEM: Controversy about the
proposed Ilisu Dam project -- which threatens to submerge
Hasankeyf, a historical town in Batman - continues.
Environmentalists claim that bird species in the area,
especially those vulnerable to extinction, will also be
threatened by the project.

3. BOLGE / HURRIYET (CUKUROVA): The recently elected Adana
Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Assembly members will vote today to
elect the Chairman of the ACC. Twenty-eight of the 99 assembly
members have announced they will support (current Deputy
Chairman) Halil Avci, the strongest rival of (current Chairman)
Saban Bas.

4. ZAMAN: Mining companies in the areas are reportedly
contaminating the small Eglence River in Karaisali district of
Adana. Villagers complain they are no longer able to use the
water for irrigational purposes or animal breeding, but their
complaints are allegedly being disregarded by the authorities,
who say they have not observed any contamination in the river.

5. CUMHURIYET: Power lines were badly affected by a severe
storm that struck Hakkari, and the whole city experienced a
12-hour power outage. The people of Hakkari, who had just
suffered through an earthquake in late January, were angry about
the delay in restoring power in the city.

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