ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turks are more optimistic about their future and more satisfied with their government since the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power a year-and-a-half ago, according to an opinion poll released yesterday. Turks, interviewed by the respected Turkish Foundation of Economic and Social Studies (TESEV), gave the government 5.8 points out of 10, compared to 2.8 points during a similar poll in 1999, the Anatolia news agency said. Asked about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s economic policies, 21 percent said they had a positive impact on their lives.

TIRANA (AP) - Albania and the United States yesterday agreed to give American troops serving in the country immunity from local prosecution. The bilateral deal follows agreement by Tirana to exempt American personnel in Tirana from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. Washington opposes the court, arguing that US troops on missions abroad could be subjected to politically motivated trials.

Romania has urged Britain to lift the freeze on Romanian immigration, imposed on Tuesday following allegations of a visa scam, “as soon as possible.” the Romanian Foreign Ministry said yesterday. “The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday evening called in the British ambassador to Bucharest, Quinton Quayle, and asked that this measure be set aside as soon as possible,” the ministry said. (AFP)

NATO newcomer Bulgaria will remain a firm member of the global anti-terrorism coalition, the country’s Parliament confirmed yesterday. Following the country’s formal accession to NATO on Monday, the legislature voted 178 to 4 to adopt a declaration hailing the move as “the final return of this country to the family of democratic states.” The Balkan country, which is among the poorest on the continent, said it would contribute to “a further expansion of the zone of security and stability in Southeastern Europe.” (AP)

Turkish police have seized about four tons of base morphine and detained five suspected drug-traffickers in an operation in Istanbul following big heroin busts in the city, officials said yesterday. Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said the 4.4 tons (9,680 pounds) of morphine (seized in bags on a truck in a warehouse in the city) were enough to manufacture some 3.5 tons of heroin, the Anatolia news agency reported. (AFP)