US embassy cable - 03ADANA247

UNCLAS ADANA 0247 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINS, PGOV, PHUM, TU, IZ, ADANA, Press Summaries 
SUBJECT:  SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, 
          SEPTEMBER 18, 2003 
 
 
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary 
for September 18, 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. Evrensel / Diyarbakir Law Bar Association 
accused the Midyat prison management of 
mistreating the prisoners and not providing 
medical treatment for them. 
 
 
3. Evrensel / In Uludere, Sirnak province, Nusret 
Berk stepped on a landmine and got wounded. 
 
 
4. Evrensel, Milli Gazete / About 130 women 
applied to Diyarbakir Law Bar Association 
Women's Right Center for legal help.  Most of 
these women have been abused by their husbands 
and seek free legal help from the center. 
 
 
5. Evrensel / Gaziantep Security officials 
detained 17 members of the Democratic People's 
Party (DEHAP) due to the speeches they gave 
during the press conference on September 14. 
 
 
6. Ekspres, Turkiye / Members of a group 
interested in the human rights aspects involved 
in Turkey's bid to join the EU came to Adana 
and visited Governor Kemal Onal.  The project 
covers the prevention of torture in the 
prisons, freedom of speech, religion and 
thoughts, rights of the disabled, women and 
children. 
 
 
7. Sabah Guney / Security forces in Antakya found 
approximately $7000 worth of illegal Ecstasy 
tablets. Two people involved in the 
distribution of the tablets were arrested. 
 
 
ECONOMIC 
 
 
8. Hurriyet / Young Businessmen Associations of 
Gaziantep, Cukurova, Hatay, Iskenderun, Adana, 
Mersin, Mardin, Diyarbakir and Siirt founded 
South and Southeast Young Businessmen 
Association.  The Center of the association will 
be in Gaziantep. 
REID