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 0422

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY,
DECEMBER 13, 2002

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for
December 13, 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. ANTI-WAR DECLARATION
(Bolge/Bolge) The Cukurova University (Adana) Teaching
Staff Association issued a written statement calling for
opposition to the proposed U.S. operation against Iraq.
The statement said: "The U.S. is preparing for an
operation against Iraq taking shelter behind the words
`terror and democracy.' The U.S. has been trying to
maintain its international relations by the way of war
because the economic basis on which its power is based has
gradually weakened. We are concerned over the possibility
of Turkish support for such an operation intended to bring
oil regions under control. With all our might, we are
saying "No" to (this) war. We simply oppose the U.S.
preparing to become the world empire." Evrensel reported a
group of Cukurova University students issued a press
release under the December 10-17 Human Rights Week
criticizing anti-democratic practices in Turkey.

3. FAREWELL TO ARMS IN OHAL
(Radikal/Milli Gazete/Evrensel) In the Southeast, licenses
to carry weapons which were issued during the State of
Emergency (OHAL) due to personal security will be replaced
with licenses to own weapons. Licenses of those who fail
to apply by January 16 will be declared null and void and
their weapons seized. Village guards do not fall within
the scope of this practice, because officials said the fact
that OHAL was abolished does not mean the village guard
system has also been lifted.

4. PARLIAMENTARY HRC WILL MAKE ITS FIRST TOUR IN SE
(Radikal) The Parliamentary Human Rights Commission will
make its first tour of inspections in the Southeast, from
where many complaints are received. The Commission's
President, Mehmet Elkatmis (AKP's Nigde Deputy), said the
commission would investigate all kinds of allegations of
human rights abuses, eventually coming up with a road map
on human rights. According to Elkatmis, torture will be
the main item on the commission's agenda. "With laws to be
passed, there will be no more human rights abuses,"
Elkatmis pledged.

5. SES OFFICIAL "EXILED"
(Evrensel) Health Employees' Union (SES) Bingol chapter
President Muharrem Aydinalp and his wife Mevlude Aydinalp
were transferred to Erzurum province, allegedly due to
Aydinalp's union-related activities. The decision was
reportedly made although an August investigation against
Aydinalp turned up no criminal activity.

6. HEROIN SEIZURE
(Evrensel) Gurpinar (Van) District Security Directorate's
Anti-smuggling and Organized Crime teams seized 79.491
kilograms of heroin in four bags in the search of a home in
Yukari Kaymak Quarter. Over 100 kilograms of unprocessed
narcotics were also seized. Police arrested one suspect
who had been preparing to transport the seized drug to
another province in a vehicle's 80-liter LPG tank.

ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
--------------------------------------
7. EU SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION
(Milliyet) The Adana National Education Directorate has
launched a campaign to get its share of the EUR 12 million
(approx. USD 12.2 million) donated by the EU for "Basic
Education Support Project" to be carried out in big
provinces such as Adana, Mersin, Antalya, Bursa and
Istanbul, which attract intense migration from the
Southeast. Adana National Education Director Gungor Kose
said the project went into effect on September 11 as a
result of the February 8, 2000 protocol agreement signed
between the EU and the National Education Ministry. The
donation will be used to educate adults, street and working
children, as well as to turn some schools into multi-
purpose educational centers for the purpose of training
illiterate women, girls, and street and working children
especially in slum areas.
HOLTZ

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