- Title: TURKEY: U.S OFFICIALS ARRIVE FOR TALKS ON ECONOMY AND IRAQ.
- Date: 27th December 2002
- Summary: (W8) ANKARA, TURKEY (DECEMBER 26, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/CU: ARRIVAL OF US TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY JOHN TAYLOR AND US STATE DEPARTMENT UNDERSECRETARY MARC GROSSMAN AT ANKARA ESENBOGA AIRPORT; CAMERAMAN (2 SHOTS) 0.16 2. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) US TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY JOHN TAYLOR SAYING: "Our mission is at the invitation of Minister Babacan (ba-ba-djan) (State Minister for Economy) and it's a follow up of the meeting we had in Washington, very succesfull meeting we had on December 11th, where we discussed and we will continue to discuss the economical reform in Turkey, the good progress that has been made in those reforms, the state of the turkish economy and on the possible impacts on Turkey over possible attack on Iraq. The purpose of course is to avoid such a conflict." 1.00 3. MV/GV/PAN: JOHN TAYLOR AND MARC GROSSMAN LEAVING THE AIRPORT AND DRIVING OFF 1.33 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 11th January 2003 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Reuters ID: LVA5DGENYDQKFT5POMKUB8SJSPTU
- Story Text: Senior US officials have come to Turkey to discuss the
economy and said they also intend to hold talks with Ankara on
the possible impact a war on Iraq would have on Turkey.
US Treasury Undersecretary John Taylor and US State
Department Undersecretary Marc Grossman arrived in Turkey on
Thursday (December 26) amid growing expectations of a war in
neighbouring Iraq.
They are planning to held talks in Ankara with Turkish
Officials on Friday (December 27) to discuss the economic cost
of a possible military operation against Iraq.
"Our mission is at the invitation of Minister Babacan and
it's a follow up of the meeting we had in Washington, very
succesfull meeting we had on December 11th, where we discussed
and we will continue to discuss the economical reform in
Turkey, the good progress that has been made in those reforms,
the state of the turkish economy and on the possible impacts
on Turkey over possible attack on Iraq. The purpose of course
is to avoid such a conflict," said US Treasury Undersecretary
John Taylor.
One of Washington's closest allies in the Middle East,
Turkey is expected to provide air bases and logistic support
if the United States goes to war against Iraq over its alleged
weapons of mass destruction.
Turkey, which has resisted a war fearing economic and
regional turmoil, is currently debating the extent of support
it will offer.
The United States is expected to offer financial aid for Turkey to mitigate economic damage from any war with figures close
to 20 billion dollars, sources said.
Turkey is currently implementing a $16 billion
International Monetary Fund rescue program aimed at overcoming
a devastating financial crisis in 2001, which led to the worst
recession since 1945 with the economy contracting more than 9
percent.
Ankara says it has lost more than $30 billion in trade
revenues with Iraq as a result of the last Gulf War in 1991
and the subsequent U.N. sanctions, and it fears further damage
if there is another war.
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