US embassy cable - 03ADANA227

UNCLAS ADANA 0227 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINS, PGOV, PHUM, TU, IZ, ADANA, Press Summaries 
SUBJECT:  SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, 
          AUGUST 28, 2003 
 
 
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary 
for August 28, 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. Zaman / The Diyarbakir Human Rights 
Organization (HRO) translated the very 
famous saying of Ataturk "Peace at Home and 
Peace in the World" into Kurdish and 
displayed it on billboards in Diyarbakir. 
HRO announced their appreciation that the 
Kurdish posters were accepted without 
incident. 
 
 
3. Turkiye / The Sugozu Thermo-Electric Power 
Plant spokesperson denied accusations that 
the power plant causes sea pollution. 
 
 
4. Milli Gazete / K-O TAB tablets, useful in 
prevention of leishmania and malaria cases, 
will be introduced into the market next 
year.  Assistant Professor Bulent Alten 
from Hacettepe University worked with the 
World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry 
of Health and the pharmaceutical company 
BAYER, on a project about leishmania and 
malaria cases. Alten explained that 
mosquito nets are beneficial in prevention 
of these diseases. Mosquito nets moistened 
in water in which the new BAYER K-O TAB 
tablets have been dissolved repel the 
mosquitoes and other flies.  Alten 
announced that K-O TAB mosquito nets will 
also be for sale and are effective for 6 
months after first use. 
 
 
5. Bolge / Adana children injured by police 
gunfire during a ceremony have been 
released from the hospital. Allegedly, the 
police detained 25 people after the 
incident (Editor's Note: We reported on 
this case in the August 26 and 27 SE Turkey 
Press Summaries). 
 
 
6. Evrensel / Members of the Democratic 
People's Party (DEHAP), (Labor Party) EMEP 
and (Social Democrat Party) SDP gathered in 
Adana, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep and Van to 
protest the police's opening fire on people 
at a circumcision ceremony in Adana 
(Editor's Note: See item 5). 
 
 
7. In Diyarbakir, women gave out white scarves 
to people as a symbol of peace.  Tunceli 
Democracy Platform gave out carnations as a 
symbol of peace.  In Van, DEHAP is 
organizing a meeting on September 7. EMEP 
Mersin is organizing a meeting on September 
1 to commemorate World Peace Day. 
REID