References to incidents of bribery and fraud in security clearance and other procedures involved in the issuance of Turkish passports in Turkey could not be found among sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Reports of bribery to obtain a security clearance for the purpose of applying for a Turkish passport, when the individual is not eligible for such a clearance, also could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Sources Consulted

Dialog/WNC

IRB Databases

Internet sites, including:

Al Bawaba

BBC

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002

European Country of Origin Information Network

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Middle East Review of International Affairs

Middle East Times

Migration News

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Transparency International

Turkish Daily News

United Kingdom, Immigration and Nationality Directorate

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