US embassy cable - 03ADANA239

UNCLAS ADANA 0239 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINS, PGOV, PHUM, TU, IZ, ADANA, Press Summaries 
SUBJECT:  SOUTEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY 
SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 
 
 
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary 
for September 11, 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. Tercuman / Six provinces in Southeast Turkey 
need about 1,000 teachers in the new school 
year. 
 
 
3. Turkiye / Hatay Police found 1,000 Ecstasy 
tablets in Mehmet Ozen's car in Antakya and 
arrested Ozen and his girl friend. 
 
 
4. Turkiye / Adana Mensa factory workers are 
having problems with their union.  Workers are 
accusing the union of not protecting their 
legal rights. 
 
 
5. Evrensel / Villagers in Cukurca, Hakkari 
province, who have been waiting in the vicinity 
of the Iraqi border seeking a refugee status 
based on a desire to escape alleged torture by 
Turkish soldiers, have now settled in the 
Kamina area in Iraq where their relatives live. 
(Editor's Note: Press reporting is silent on 
whether refugee status has been awarded to 
these individuals and as to which Iraqi or 
UNHCR authority the individuals might have been 
making their case. We covered this story in our 
September 9, 2003 SE Press Summary). 
 
 
6. Evrensel / Forest fire in Genc, Bingol 
province, has been burning for eight days. 
People in the region are accusing Turkish 
soldiers of starting the fire to deny cover to 
suspected guerilla operations. 
 
 
7. Hurriyet, Milliyet / Women in Denizli mahalle 
sub-district, raided their district head's 
office and complained about the terrible 
condition of the Denizli mahalle's road.  The 
road was repaired and re-opened on the same 
day. 
REID