Tuzmen: All Contracts Which Were Signed During My Visit To Iraq Are Under Guaranty Of U.N.

ANKARA - Environment Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Friday that all contracts which were signed during his visit to Iraq when he served as state minister, were under guaranty of the United Nations (U.N.) and stated that exports would be made after U.N. procedure was completed as of the second half of 2003.
Tuzmen answered to a question with notice which was submitted by Republican People's Party (CHP) Nezir Büyükcengiz.
Stating that export links in Iraq were made under U.N. oil for food program, Tuzmen said that those products included foodstuff, medicine, medical equipment and humanitarian needs.
Tuzmen said that export links were passed from approval process of the U.N. and noted, ''approval of contracts which are signed with Iraqi establishments, works on letter of credit for approved contracts and transportation last for six months apart from some exceptions.''
Stating that all contracts which were signed within the scope of U.N. programs during his visit to Iraq were under guaranty of the U.N., Tuzmen said that there was will of U.N. regarding continuation of export to Iraq under the supervision of the U.N. during and after war.
Tuzmen said that all contracts which were signed between Turkish businessmen and Iraqi establishments during his visit to Iraq between January 10 and 12, 2003 were under guaranty of international law.
Tuzmen who gave information about Turkish companies' trade links in Iraq said that Turkey's export to Iraq which was 150 million U.S. dollars in 2000 started to increase as of the end of the year.
Stating that export to Iraq increased 50 percent in the end of 2000 and increased 91.3 percent in the end of 2001 under the U.N. programs, he said that Turkey's export to Iraq reached 463.9 million U.S. dollars in 2002.
(EÖ-AY) 26.04.2003