US embassy cable - 04ADANA23

UNCLAS ADANA 0023 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINS, PGOV, PHUM, TU, IZ, ADANA, Press Summaries 
SUBJECT:  SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY 
JANUARY 17-19, 2004 
 
 
1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary 
for January 17-19, 2004.  Please note that 
Turkish press reports often contain errors or 
exaggerations; AmConsulate Adana does not vouch 
for the accuracy of the reports summarized 
here. 
 
 
CULTURE 
 
 
2. Vakit / Malatya AK Party Deputy Fuat 
Olmeztoprak announced that a training center 
will open in Malatya. The training center will 
provide workshops and contain computer and 
 
 
language labs. 
 
 
ECONOMIC 
 
 
3. Milliyet / 2003 trade volume at the Mersin Free 
Zone increased 68% compared to 2002 and reached 
USD 2.7 billion. 
 
 
4. Cumhuriyet / The Syrian Government relaxed the 
visa process for Turkish business travelers to 
Syria.  Travelers registered with the Chamber 
of Commerce and Industry in Turkey will be able 
to get their Syrian visas at the border, as 
promised by President Asad during his visit to 
Turkey. 
 
 
5. Ozgur Gundem / Batman merchants are concerned 
because 630 Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) temporary 
workers' job contracts are not yet renewed. 
Merchants Chamber General Secretary Suleyman 
Gunes indicated thet the chamber supports its 
members.  If the problem is not solved, workers 
are planning to go to Ankara with their family 
members to protest. 
 
 
6. Cumhuriyet / In the Southeast, unemployment 
figures reached up to 50% in many cities in the 
region.  Population also increased almost 25% 
since 1990 census. 
 
 
7. Turkiye / In Gaziantep, incumbent mayor Celal 
Dogan was nominated by CHP as their candidate. 
 
 
8. Bolge / Five hundred and fifty-five AK Party 
representatives met to nominate names for Adana 
City, Seyhan and Yuregir districts and the 13 
districts of Adana province. There were seven 
nominees for Adana city and 18 nominees each 
for the districts of Seyhan and Yuregir, with 
82 nominees for the other 13 districts of 
Adana. Results will be sent to the AK Party 
head office in Ankara. 
 
 
9. Ozgur Gundem / In Adana, there was a political 
demonstration calling on the Turkish government 
to free the DEHAP deputies and Abdullah Ocalan. 
There were about 300 people at the 
demonstration. 
REID