TURKEY TRIES TO IMPROVE DEFENSE TIES WITH ITALY

ANKARA [MENL] -- Turkey seeks to improve defense ties with Italy in the wakeof the uproar in Ankara over legislation regarding the killing of 1.5million Armenians during World War I. Turkish officials said the effort seeks to build on Ankara's campaign toenter the European Union as well as reconcile with those countries that havedrafted legislation that blames Turkey for the death of 1.5 millionArmenians between 1915 and 1922. France and Italy have introduced bills thatrecognize the Armenian genocide.