Cablegate: Southeast Turkey Press Summary, July 28, 2004

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

UNCLAS ANKARA 004303

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST TURKEY PRESS SUMMARY, JULY 28, 2004

THIS CABLE IS FROM AMCONSUL ADANA.

1. This is the Southeastern Turkey press summary for
July 28, 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.

POLITICAL, SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS

2. Ulkede Ozgur Gundem, Vakit: 18 cattle were killed
and many others were wounded in a mine explosion in
Gunyuzlu village of Semdinli, Hakkari province, on July
26. The cattle owner, Abdurrahman Tasli, appealed to
the Hakkari Human Rights Association (HRA) for
assistance in clearing mines and in seeking
compensation for his losses.

3. Yeni Safak, Vakit: PKK/Kongra Gel militants
activated a remote controlled mine they had planted on
the Yuksekova-Semdinli highway when an armored
personnel carrier (APC) passed by. One soldier was
wounded in the incident.

4. Radikal: In their investigation of the July 26
explosion at the Hakkari Security Directorate, police
started collecting videotapes recorded at wedding
ceremonies that took place the night the explosion
occurred. The police suspect that terrorists
intermingled with people attending wedding ceremonies
at the houses close to the Security Directorate. A
bridegroom, Vahit Ilhan, whose house was very close to
the Security Directorate, was detained for nine hours
after the explosion, but was later released.

5. Ulkede Ozgur Gundem: A report entitled "13-17 June
Diyarbakir Report" and prepared by the Initiative for a
Turkey Without Mines stated that 21 persons lost their
lives and 43 others were wounded due to mine explosions
in the Southeast in the past six months.

6. Radikal: The Kurdish internet site Newroz claimed
that US forces in Iraq raided the PKK-affiliated
Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party (PCDK) in Kirkuk,
Iraq. According to Kirkuk Security Director Aqid Serhat
Kadir, US troops raided PCDK offices after a group of
armed PCDK members opened fire on the US troops on
patrol. The US officials at the American Embassy in
Ankara did not deny the incident, but said that the
Embassy would make an announcement after they obtained
adequate information.

7. Yeni Safak: Based on a tip, Diyarbakir police and
National Intelligence Organization members seized 11
kilos of heroin and 68,000 roots of hemp in Beypinar
and Kayadere villages of Silvan, Diyarbakir province.
Three persons involved in the matter were arrested.

8. Turkiye, Yeni Safak, Tercuman, Evrensel,
Cumhuriyet: The Police from the Anti-Smuggling and
Organized Crimes Department of the Van Security
Directorate seized 81.67 kilos of heroin destined for
points outside the country in secret compartments of a
truck they inspected in Gevas, Van province. Two
persons were arrested and two others having connections
with drugs are wanted by police.

9. Yeni Safak, Vakit: Foot and mouth disease was
diagnosed in cattle and sheep in Ayvali village of
Darende, Malatya province. The Malatya Provincial
Director of Agriculture, Nedim Sahinligil, said foot
and mouth disease was diagnosed in two villagers who
had eaten meat with the disease, as well, and warned
the villagers that they should not eat meat that has
not been inspected by veterinary authorities.
Sahinligil added that teams from his office started
vaccinating cattle and sheep in the village.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

10. Hurriyet (Cukurova Supplement): People have been
showing great interest in the International Fairs
organized in Gaziantep in the textile, food, and shoe
sectors. The Gaziantep President of the Chamber of
Industry (GSO), Nejat Kocer, said GSO would open the
GAP 2004 Food, Food Technologies and Packing Fair
between September 23-26; the Moteks and Gatemak 4th
Fashion, Textile and Ready Wear Machinery Fair on
September 30; and the GAP Shoe, Leather Works and Side
Industries Fair between January 15-18, 2005.

DEUTSCH

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