Feb 25, 2003

ANKARA [MENL] -- Turkey, under heavy pressure from the Bush administration,has paved the way for the immediate deployment of up to 40,000 U.S. troops.

Feb 17, 2003

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- The United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from an expectedcontract for the purchase of naval vessels from France.

Feb 14, 2003

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran has announced the start of naval maneuvers to securethe Persian Gulf.

Feb 13, 2003

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Gulf Arab states are quietly exploring the prospect ofsigning a regional security cooperation accord with Iran.