Sener: Procedure On 8.5 Billion U.S. Dollars Of Loan Was Completed

ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said on Tuesday that procedure on 8.5 billion U.S. dollars of loan which the United States would grant to Turkey was completed and stated that the first tranche of the loan was possible to come to Turkey at the end of this month.
Sener replied to questions of reporters when came to Sheraton Hotel to attend a symposium.
When reminded there were some news stories which said that 8.5 billion U.S. dollars of loan was suspended, Sener said that procedures on the loan were completed and added that thus the first tranche of the loan was possible to come to Turkey at the end of this month. Sener said that Turkey did not have any decision on suspension of this loan and stated that news stories which claimed that Turkey suspended it were baseless.
Asked how much the first tranche of the loan was, Sener said that the tranche would be taken according to needs of Turkey.
FIRST TRANCHE OF U.S. LOAN CAN BE GIVEN IN THE END OF OCTOBER

Sener said that first tranche of U.S. loan could be given in the end of October, however this date could change, but the process still continues.
Upon a question when the first loan tranche would be given to Turkey, Sener said that it could be given in the end of this month, but Turkey would use the loan when it needed.
When asked whether this meant that Turkey did not need U.S. loan, Sener said that Turkey made all its accounts as if the loan would not be given and this loan was an extra opportunity.
When asked whether there were any problems, Sener said that there were no problems in the relations with the United States, the European Union and other countries and added that U.S.-Turkey relations were continuing well.

BABACAN: OUR WILL TO USE U.S. LOAN CONTINUES

SIENA - State Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday that Turkey's will to use U.S. loan was continuing.
Babacan told A.A correspondent that news claiming that Turkey gave up using U.S. loan worth of 8.5 billion dollars were not right.
Noting that technical activities regarding the loan were continuing, Babacan said that Turkey would decide when it would use the loan and its was also written in the contract.
(GC-AY) 21.10.2003