Cablegate: Southeast Turkey Press Summary

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADANA 0386

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY
NOVEMBER 6, 2002

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for
November 6, 2002. Please note that Turkish press reports
often contain errors or exaggerations; AmConsulate Adana
does not vouch for the accuracy of the reports summarized
here.

POLITICS, SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS
--------------------------------

2. COORDINATING GOVERNOR TO REPLACE OHAL GOVERNOR
(Sabah) Following the 15-year state of emergency (OHAL) in
the East and Southeast, which is to end on November 30 in
Diyarbakir and Sirnak, the only provinces where OHAL
remains in effect, the OHAL Governor's Office will be
replaced by the Coordinator Governor's Office. During the
Turkish National Security Council (MGK) meeting last month,
Interior Ministry Muzaffer Ecemis briefed MGK members on
his Ministry's "classified" report, along with a series of
measures to be taken after OHAL ends in the region. The
Coordinator Governor will reportedly have the same
privilege of using special allocations from the Prime
Ministry budget as the OHAL Governor.

3. NGO REPORT CALLS DIYARBAKIR RETURNEE KILLINGS "TERROR"
(Evrensel) A report prepared by an Association for the
Oppressed (MAZLUM-DER) about the killing of three returnees
to Bismil's (Diyarbakir) Ugrak village by village guards
called the incident not a blood feud, but "terror" by
village guards which threatened the social peace. The
delegation called for removal of obstacles in the way of
village returns and abolition of the village guard system.

4. THREE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INVESTIGATED FOR PARTICIPATION
IN DEHAP RALLY
(Evrensel) An investigation has been launched against
three Diyarbakir public employees for participating in the
Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) rally and the
inauguration of a DEHAP election office in Lice
(Diyarbakir). The public employees have been suspended
until the investigation is concluded.

5. DEHAP PETITIONS TO CANCEL VOTES IN TWO TOWNSHIPS
(Evrensel) Claiming voters were forced to cast their votes
openly in Sirnak's Beytussebap and Uludere townships, as
well as many villages, the Democratic People's Party
(DEHAP) petitioned the Provincial Election Board to cancel
the elections (in those townships and villages). In
addition, Youth Party (GP) Sirnak candidate Tahir Adiyaman
claimed Ayvalik and Basaran villagers were forced to cast
their votes openly and complained the Election Board
refused to process objections to that end.

6. 103 ELECTION VIOLATION APPLICATIONS
(Evrensel) One hundred and three people applied to the
Crisis Desk formed by the Diyarbakir Chapter of the Human
Rights Association (HRA), reporting rights violations
during the November 3 elections. According to the Desk,
observers serving at 17 different ballot boxes were
prevented, while 37 people were arrested on election day
for arguing with security forces. Alleged violations
included forcing voters to vote openly, pressuring them to
vote for another party (rather than the Democratic People's
Party - DEHAP), preventing them from casting their votes,
as well as threats and wrong electorate information cards.

7. MERSIN POLICE BRIEFED ON EU HARMONIZATION LAWS
(Milliyet/Hurriyet/Turkiye) Chief Public Prosecutor Halil
Acioglu briefed 500 police chiefs and police officers at
the Mersin Security Directorate on EU Harmonization Laws.
Police were informed about recent amendments to the
Criminal Court Procedures Law (CMUK), the Police Duty and
Authorization Law, the Meetings, Demonstrations and Marches
Law, the State Security Court and Trial Procedures Laws,
the Associations Law, as well as Regulations on Arrest,
Detention and Testimony Taking.

8. NEW ADANA MP'S LOBBY TO POSTPONE ADANA AIRPORT'S CLOSURE
(Milliyet/Hurriyet) Following a meeting with
representatives of the Adana and Mersin industrial
organizations, newly elected Justice and Development Party
(AKP) and Republican People's Party (CHP) parliamentarians
and provincial chairmen faxed a joint message to their
headquarters to postpone the closure of the Adana Airport
to flights until April 1, 2003. In addition to
postponement of the Airport's closure, the message called
for putting in service a secondary runway, and use of the
Incirlik Air Base during the two-month renovation project.
(Note: Several papers had already reported the closure of
the Adana Airport to flights as of November 4 due to repair
and maintenance.)
HOLTZ

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