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, I'm still concerned about "attitudes" towards Americans. I'd love to see some
honest debate on that. When we can see true change towards Americans..
I would love to visit there!!

As a "flyover country" American who lived most of his first 35 years in Oklahoma, but got
to travel a bit and am now an "ex-patriate" in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia,
I can comment about Turkey a bit. (being honest and constructive, I pray)
In the interest of full disclosure, I've not been to Turkey, but picked up a bit
about the place by reading and knowing Americans who've lived there.

Turkey is a country that's trying HARD to be a full partner in the developed world.
I'd call it the "Rodney Dangerfield" of nations...works hard, just doesn't get
the level of respect it deserves.

For many of us in the USA, the first picture of Turkey that comes to mind is "Midnight Express",
the deaths of many Christians during WWI, and a Muslim country.

Unfortunately, our history books (often in public school) didn't give the
fuller, up-to-date picture.

Even as recently as 4 years ago when my boss and his family went for a two-week
holiday in Turkey, I held my breath and said "Do you think that's a smart thing to do?"
They went, had a great time, and enlightened me about the place.

It's a Muslim country. But it's not the "Muslim" place like the Wahabbist Saudia Arabia.
It has some historical baggage that hasn't been resolved in the most graceful manner yet...
while the USA has the same situation over HISTORICAL treatment of blacks, Native Americans
and other minorities.

But I get the feeling that Turkey is honestly, strenuously trying to line up
on the side of "the good guys". Membership in NATO for decades, cooperation agreements
that allow Israeli Air Force pilots to kick in their afterburners over the spacious
Turkish airspace, buying Boeing and other American hardware...these and more
pieces of evidence merit consideration.

I recently saw a PBS special about the Muslim world; one segment dealt with how the
Turkish authorities are trying to hold the line with Islamic extremist elements in their
country.

Heck, their peace-keeping soldiers are now on the ground with our grunts and those
from the U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany (and other places, I suppose) in Afghanistan.

Overall, I, as a conservative guy say "Give Turkey a fair chance, help and encourage them."

Thanks VOA. Turkish peacekeepers have taken part in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosova(o), Macedonia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nahcivan, Kirgizistan, Kazakistan and Afganistan, Cyprus (LOL quitely!), and Somalia. There have probably been other spots which I have missed.

Vets: I will caution you that every country has it's criminal elements. While I am sure that the US Armed Forces doesn't produce babes, I thought I'd let you know that we have prisons, and the shitheads it takes to populate them, too. Our cities' inhabitants will remind you of those of New York City, where as the towns and villages bear most of the smiling faces.

Picture of a Turkish peacekeeper innoculating a Kosovar baby.

I've heard the same things you have. When we lived in Alaska, we had a friend who went there often to purchase rugs. She LOVED it there. We even took a travel school training (for fun, to get to know different regions) with a Turkish Fellow. We had hoped to go be guests with his family and him, but children and moolah prevented it.

He was a total sweetheart. He told us that there were area's to stay away from. That his family would welcome us like we were their family. So we REALLY wanted to go. He was going to show us his country. So sad we couldn't do it, dog gone it!!

I'm with you VOA,.. we need to encourage tourism to the countries of our friends!!!