US embassy cable - 03ADANA217

UNCLAS ADANA 0217 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINS, PGOV, PHUM, TU, IZ, ADANA, Press Summaries 
SUBJECT:  SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, 
          AUGUST 15, 2003 
 
 
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary 
for August 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. Milliyet, Hurriyet, Sabah Guney, Express / 
Aytac Durak, Mayor of Adana, responded to 
the criticism of  Umit Ozgumus, Head of 
Chamber of Industry in Adana.  Durak 
announced that Ozgumus was not being fair 
about the Industrial Fair, which will be 
held in October.  Durak also blamed Ozgumus 
for acting political and stated that "it is 
too early for elections". 
 
 
3. Milliyet, Hurriyet /The Civil Society 
Association sponsored by the EU Civil 
Society Development Program, scheduled the 
fourth education program between the dates 
of September 4 and 15 in Turkey.  The 
education program will be held at Inci 
Hotel in Adana. 
 
 
4. Turkiye / Governor of Hakkari announced 
that they have found about 4 tons of heroin 
in the area during the operations in the 
last three years. Security forces found 
about 18 kg of heroin in Hakkari during the 
last operation. 
 
 
5. Turkiye / Four customs officers in Habur 
Gate were arrested for accepting money from 
a Turkoman who had missing documents to 
cross the border. 
 
 
6. Bolge / Cem Uzan, Head of Genc Party, is 
coming to Adana for the Party's annual 
meeting.  He is expected to respond to the 
allegations against him and his family in 
his speech. 
 
 
7. Evrensel / A group of women in Adana had 
demonstrations in Ova Mah.  Women called 
themselves as The Women of PJA.  The women 
praised Ocalan and PJA during their 
demonstration.  Police did not interfere 
with the women. 
 
 
8. Evrensel / Gendarme Forces took a member of 
KADEK/PKK under custody in Diyarbakir. 
Allegedly, the man supported KADEK/PKK 
logistically. 
 
 
9. Evrensel / According to Evrensel, Turkish 
Government plans meetings through local 
governments with the parents of the 
PKK/KADEK members who are in the rural 
areas.  Government's plan is to use the 
parents to convince their children to 
benefit from the new amnesty law. 
HART