US embassy cable - 03ADANA170

UNCLAS ADANA 0170 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PINS, PGOV, PHUM, TU, IZ, Press Summaries, ADANA 
SUBJECT:  SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, 
          JULY 02, 2003 
 
1.  This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary 
for July 02, 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, Radikal, / Regional 
officials say Mardin should be in the World 
Heritage List for year 2004. Mardin 
Governer had withdrawn Mardin's application 
for the World Heritage List due to some 
unplanned building sites around historical 
buildings. (Editor's Commend: As these 
buildings change the historical look of the 
city they may affect the presence of Mardin 
in the list). Abdulkadir Tutasi, the Mayor 
of Mardin, announced that they are planning 
to remove the apartments around the 
historical houses by 2004. 
 
 
3. Milliyet, Turkiye, Bolge, Hurriyet, Milli 
Gazete / Adana attorney Mehmet Sayis was 
killed in front of his house.  One of his 
clients had been threatening him for some 
time.  Although the police were informed 
about the threats he wasn't given any 
guards for protection. 
 
 
4. Turkiye, Hurriyet, Bolge, Tercuman / US 
Ambassador Robert Pearson visited the 
Governor of Adana. When asked about 
Turkey's role in Northern Iraq, he 
responded, "it's still being discussed and 
Mr. Gul's visit to the US will clarify 
things." 
 
 
5. Evrensel, / A man in Diyarbakir claimed 
that he was beaten badly by the police in 
the middle of the road in Diyarbakir.  The 
man made an official application to the 
Diyarbakir Human Rights Organization.  HRO 
plans to sue the police. 
HOLTZ