Cablegate: Southeast Turkey Press Summary for September 27, 2007

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PGOV PHUM TU
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for
September 27, 2007. Please note Turkish press reports often
contain errors or exaggerations; AmConsulate Adana does not
vouch for the accuracy of the reports summarized herein.

POLITICAL:

2. ZAMAN: In remarks delivered during an iftaar dinner
at his residence, U.S. Consul Eric Green said as Ramazan was
being observed with compassion and happiness in Turkey and all
around the world, he, too, was delighted to share in the
experience with local journalists. Chairperson of the Cukurova
Journalists' Association expressed appreciation for Consul
Green's remarks and thanked him for hosting the dinner and
sharing the joy of iftaar.

3. RADIKAL / ZAMAN: In a written statement, DTP complained
debates over the draft new constitution were mismanaged, causing
the debate process to stray from democratic procedures.
Additionally, DTP posited recent discussions have adopted a more
threatening and polarizing tone against the DTP.

SECURITY

4. EKSPRES / BOLGE / ZAMAN: An anonymous warning phoned
into Adana police two days ago that resulted in police stopping
and evacuating a passenger train (see press summary for
September 26), proved false, reports today's local papers.

ECONOMY

5. SABAH (GUNEY): Chairperson of Sanliurfa's Chamber of
Commerce and Industry drew attention to the new airport in
Sanliurfa (GAP Airport) and urged prospective Haj pilgrims in
the region to use this airport to visit Mecca.

6. SABAH (GUNEY): Gaziantep Governor Suleyman Kamci said
the Turkish-Syrian "Interregional Cooperation Program" that came
into effect last year has boosted economic and social ties
between the two countries. Twenty-seven out of 81 projects
submitted to the program from Gaziantep were awarded $5 million
in loans.

7. SABAH (GUNEY): Can Suphi, Baku-Tibilisi-Ceyhan
Pipeline's Director in Turkey, and, Ali Duru, Chairperson of
Ceyhan's Chamber of Commerce, called on Ceyhan District Mayor
Huseyin Sozlu. Suphi told Sozlu during the meeting that the
operations at the Ceyhan terminal were going on smoothly.

CULTURE / SOCIETY / ENVIRONMENT

8. SABAH (GUNEY): With the sponsorship of Adana
Municipality and Cukurova University, several artists from all
over the country gathered in Adana and spent the four weeks
carving stone sculptures. The finished art work will be
displayed in several locations of the city. Adana Mayor Aytac
Durak presented certificates of appreciation to the artists for
their efforts.

GREEN

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