Cablegate: Southeast Tureky Press Summary

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

UNCLAS ADANA 0278

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TUREKY PRESS SUMMARY
OCTOBER 28, 2003

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary
for October 28, 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. Turkiye, Cumhuriyet, Evrensel, Milliyet, Ozgur
Gundem / DEHAP members in eight provinces went
to court yesterday in order to use the letters
"x, q and w", (which do not exist in Turkish
alphabet), when naming children. (Editor's
Note: Turkish law permits giving children
Kurdish names, but local registrars often
refuse names with letters not found in the
Turkish alphabet.)

3. Cumhuriyet / Fourteen people in Cukurca,
Hakkari province, accused the security forces
of pulling them through animal feces because
they were PKK/KADEK supporters. Witnesses
reported that the forces broke a man's hands
and a woman's shoulders. The group brought
suit against the security forces involved in
the incident.

4. Evrensel / In Yellice village, Kurtalan, Siirt,
village guards relinquished their guns on
September 1, Peace Day, and announced that they
are for peace.

5. Milliyet / Mustafa Erkal will be the new
governor of Tunceli. Erkal was removed from
his position by court order in February and
applied to the high court to get his position
back. The High Court's decision will return
him to the governorship.

6. Bolge / There was a clash between the security
forces and protesters during protests in Ova
district, Adana province on October 27. A
group of people gathered on 2nd street in Ova
district and shouted slogans praising Abdullah
Ocalan. People threw stones at the police and
burned plastic tires. Two police officers were
wounded during the clash.
REID

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