Bush will be hosting the leader of a NATO country who in the past has not hidden his sympathies for Saddam Hussein. Ecevit visited the Iraqi leader twice in Baghdad as journalist in 1990-1991.

The strikers seek abolition of state security courts, which are used for political trials and other sensitive cases. They demand more rights for the Kurdish people in Turkey and a break with an economic reform agreement reached with the IMF.

On the 27th year of Turkeys military intervention, Northern Cypruss Patriotic Unity Movement (YBH) anlyses the current situation in the divided island. Unemployment increases and the standard of living falls, say report by the groups youth arm.

.

In a Istanbul police operation directed at two houses where the death fasters opposing the F-type prison system were staying four were killed. The police claimed that the four people who died lost their lives by setting themselves on fire.

Turkish government plans to deploy at least 300 soldiers from the special warfare unit, which has been fighting Kurdish insurgents for 15 years, in Afghanistan to operate under the allied command as soon as the land operations begin.

Human Rights Association (IHD) warns that landmines laid down in Southeast during the conflict between the army and the guerilla PKK continue explode. Previously depopulated locals are yet fearful to return home of the risks posed by landmines.

Greece and Turkey have signed an agreement that will allow Greece to send back illegal migrants that have entered the country through Turkey.

Last week, thousands of protesters closed businesses and blocked highways in Ankara and Istanbul, shouting, The government must resign! and waving placards with the words Youre sucking our blood.

Although virtually unnoticed by the outside world, since last autumn Turkey has been the site of the longest -- and now the deadliest -- hunger strike against a government in modern history.

Nadire Mater, an award-winning journalist has fallen prey to the flimsiest of whisper campaigns. She is accused of accepting a payment to produce a book critical of the Turkish military at the behest of the CIA.

An IHD (The Human Rights Organisation of Turkey ) fact finding mission to Southeast Turkey is reported to have faced arassment during their visit to the region. In an urgent appeal yesterday the IHD calls for intervention for the release of detained local

Turkeys new economic chief, Kemal Dervis has been hailed as the man who will sort out the countrys financial mess. This week, Dervis, sold government bonds worth 3.3 billion US dollars to local investors, as part of his austerity measures.

Ankaras political and military rulers expect that a Turkish military presence in Afghanistan will indirectly provide the country with a wider margin of maneuver and a greater say in the prospective reshaping of the region,

2000 farmers who could not pay their debts due to ongoing economic crisis, are qued for going into the prison. Some farmers will stay in prison for undersigning contracts as guarantors for another fellow farmers debt.

Investment-grade issuersare expected to dominate emerging markets in the next few months, offering a chance to diversify from Argentina and Turkey.

It is vital that we explore anti-American sentiment. It is especially urgent that we study Americas Middle East policy, with emphasis on U.S. dealings with Iraq and Israel.

Proposals of replacing the ruling cabinet with a technocrats government, in order to overcome the Nationalist Action Partys (MHP) unwillingness in implementing the IMF backed austerity programme rebuffed. Political analysts comment on the issue.

Almost weekly, Turkish officials report snaring smugglers or rescuing abandoned immigrants. Earlier this summer, Turkish police found 65 Iraqis hidden in secret compartments of a truck loaded with sand and pebbles.

Turkeys Health Minister Osman Durmus remains under heavy criticism by womens organisations for his circular on virginity tests. Although Minister Durmuş had to withdraw the circular under pressure, women urge for more profound measures.