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 ADANA 0023

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA
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

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