Jun 29, 2001

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch negotiations forcontracts with eight Western oil companies awarded a stake in developing thekingdom's natural gas reserves.

Jul 20, 2001

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.

Oct 11, 2001

ANKARA [MENL] -- Turkey's military is bracing for a call from the UnitedStates to participate in any ground invasion of Afghanistan.

Dec 19, 2001

RAMALLAH [MENL] -- Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has appealedfor martyrs in the war against Israel.