ISTANBUL - State Minister Masum Turker has said that a war that might start after a possible operation against Iraq would not affect and impoverish Turkey.
Speaking at a meeting late on Monday, Turker said that the letter of intent that would be submitted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) included commitments that tax returns would continue, subsidies for agriculture would be used in agriculture and aid to education would not be limited.
Stressing that he would publicly identify every speculator playing with U.S. dollar, Turkey said, ''I don't care if it is a person of a foreign bank. Somebody has to stop robbery in this country.''
Noting that many countries suffered from emptying the coffers of banks, Turker said Turkey would suffer same problems as Argentina as a result of national banks.
''So we have to have a national position about consolidation of our national banks,'' he said.
Regarding a possible U.S. operation against Iraq, Turker said, ''we don't war but we want peace. I have to mention that a war doesn't impoverish us.''