The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has had a long association with the wheat research institutions in Turkey. In 1971, CIMMYT became directly involved with Turkey's winter wheat improvement program through its association with the Rockefeller Foundation/Government of Turkey (GOT) wheat research program. This association resulted in new germplasm introductions to Turkey and the initiation of a large scale training program. In December 1980, the GOT and CIMMYT signed an agreement on wheat research activities in Turkey. This was followed by an agreement in March 1984 which posted a CIMMYT staff member in Turkey to assist the National Wheat Research Program. In 1986, the GOT and CIMMYf initiated a joint venture, an "International Approach to Winter Wheat Research." This cooperative international winter wheat research effort was jointly coordinated by the Turkish national wheat research program and CIMMYT and was implemented under the existing bilateral agreement between the GOT and CIMMYT. The purpose was to develop broadly adapted, high-yielding winter wheat gennplasm for the extensive winter and facultative wheat growing areas of the world. At the onset of this joint international winter wheat research effort, a 5-year review of progress was envisioned. However, several events have prompted an earlier review: The signing of a bilateral agreement between the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the GOT. The signing of an agreement between CIMMYf and ICARDA. The departure of Dr. E.E. Saari, the CIMMYT team leader in Turkey. In a memorandum to the review team, R.A. Fischer, Director of the CIMMYT Wheat Program, listed the issues for the June 1990 review of CIMMYT' s Winter Wheat Program. He requested the team to review the achievements of the initiative in light of the objective stated above.