BARAK TO BOOST DEFENSE DEALS WITH TURKEY

JERUSALEM [MENL] -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will meet with Turkishpolitical and defense officials in Ankara on Monday in an effort to boostIsraeli military exports to Turkey and to finalize the water deal as well asgarnersupport for Israel's peace process. Turkey recently cancelled defense contracts with Israel, including a$274 million contract with Israel Aircraft Industries to purchase the Ofekspy satellite and a contract for the development of a Turkish attackhelicopter. Turkey has also frozen a $350 contract with Israel for theTurkish M-60 tank upgrade. Defense sources said Turkey favors the option ofleasing about 180 U.S.-manufactured MIAI Abrams main battle tanks to theupgrade option.