A couple short Turkey trip updates...

Then I absolutely, positively must finish some reading assignments for class this evening:

Turkey announces extra security plans for papal visit:

Turkish authorities will deploy 4,000 police officers to handle security during the visit by Pope Benedict XVI, the AKI news service reports.

The government's plans for security during the papal visit-- which will be from November 28 to December 1-- include sharpshooters posted on rooftops and surveillance cameras in urban areas. The government will be monitoring the activities of militant groups as well and assigning extra police details to watch the crowds at papal appearances.

Turkish officials, who have been unenthusiastic about the Pope's arrival, have made a point of announcing that they will allow public protests against the Pontiff. However, those demonstrations will be kept within designated areas, they say, to minimize the possibility of confrontation.

Pope trip will not heal wounds, says Turkey’s religious head:

Turkey’s head of religious affairs says the Pope’s visit to Turkey later this month may help improve relations with Muslims, but he does not believe it will heal the wounds stemming from the Pontiff’s misinterpreted remarks about Islam in September.