Chief of General staff Basbug meets with think-tank representatives, academics

Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug yesterday met with representatives from local think-tanks and a group of academics to exchange views on the fight against terrorism. Among those attending the meeting were Nihat Ali Ozcan from the Turkish Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV), Ihsan Bal from the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), and Abdulkadir Cevik, head of the Political Psychology Association. Basbug was reportedly presented with reports on terrorism, and the participants discussed recent developments. Basbug is today expected to visit main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli on Friday.