Unakitan: Anything Does Not Affect Our Privatization Program

ISTANBUL - Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said on Wednesday that nothing could negatively affect privatization programs.
Replying a question which said, ''it is told that Russians would join the auction for privatization of Turkish Oil Refineries Corp (Tupras). Would it change the plans?'' Unakitan said, ''Tupras refines the oil it purchases. Where do we purchase oil? We take ninety percent of it from abroad so it can't be strategic. A specific part of Tupras is open to public. What we aim with privatization is to save the state from economic activities. So we finish this job by selling all shares of state in Tupras.''
When asked whether or not he was satisfied with the bid for Petro Chemistry Holding Corporation (Petkim), Unakitan said that procedures continued so it was early to say anything.
Replying another question which said, ''do cancellation of auction for privatization of Petkim or rejection of the bid affect the program?'' Unakitan said, ''nothing can negatively affect our privatization program. As the government, we do have a strong will to rapidly complete this program.''
(MS-AÖ) 11.06.2003