U.S. FIRMS BOYCOTT TURKISH COPTER PROJECT

ANKARA [MENL] -- U.S. defense contractors, frustrated over Ankara's refusalto drop technology transfer requirements, have boycotted Turkey's $2 billionattack helicopters tender. Three U.S. companies have refused to respond to Request for Proposals byTurkey's Defense Industry Undersecretariat, or SSM. The RfP deadline passedon Dec. 5 after three postponements because of objections by European andU.S. companies to the terms of the tender.