Turker: We Will Decrease Expenditures To Reach Our Primary Surplus Target

WASHINGTON D.C. - State Minister Masum Turker for Economy said on Thursday, ''instead of taking measures to increase our income such as tax and price increase, we will decrease the expenditures in order to reach our primary surplus target.''
Turker who is currently in Washington D.C. to attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, held a press conference.
Speaking at the press conference, Turker said, ''there are two methods to reach the primary surplus target. Instead of taking measures to increase our income such as tax and price increase, we will decrease the expenditures. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz want continuation of the economic programme within the framework of the budget opportunities.''
Recalling that he had held talks with IMF European I Department Director Michael Deppler, Turker said, ''IMF expressed its pleasure with Turkey's paying careful attention to continue implementing the economic programme prior to the general elections on November 3, 2002. During the meeting, I stressed that Turkey was determined to reach its primary surplus.''
''During my meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Alan Larson, Larson expressed the United States' satisfaction with impacts of Turkey's maintaining its economic programme with a great determination despite the upcoming elections, on the international markets. The issues such as direct investments of American companies in Turkey, and joint investment opportunities in the third countries were brought onto agenda. I explained Turkey's expectations about the qualified industrial zones. We have reached agreement on a working programme to bring together Turkish and American companies. Larson said that they appreciated Turkey's attitude in putting into practice the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline project,'' he said.
Referring to the issue of Iraq, Turker said, ''we have not explained our concerns about results of a possible military operation against Iraq yet. If the issue is brought onto agenda later, we will explain our concerns.''
''I told both Larson and Deppler that increase in oil prices could affect Turkish economy negatively, and warned the United States to take necessary measures against it,'' he said.
Responding a question about a possible military operation against Iraq, Turker told reporters, ''we do not want our neighboring countries to be involved in a war. We are aware of the fact that such a development would affect us. As you know, Turkey suffered a serious loss during the Gulf War.''
''As a country which suffered from terrorism, Turkey understands concerns of the United States following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,'' he said.
Responding a question about Turkey's economic demands about a possible military operation against Iraq, Turker said, ''Turkey will not make any economic requests in that case. However, suc an operation will affect Turkish economy negatively. Turkish nation has been making great self-sacrifices to implement the economic programme. We have to take into consideration economic impacts of all possibilities. We have to make preparations to protect our economy from such impacts.''
Turker is scheduled to meet with World Bank Vice President Johannes Lynn later on Friday.
On Monday, Turker will meet with IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler, World Bank President James Wolfensohn and U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill.
Turker is expected to depart from the United States on Tuesday after wrapping up his contacts.