ISTANBUL - State Minister Masum Turker said on Tuesday that he would sign the letter of intent that would be presented to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Noting that some circles had had the Financial Times prepare a news report, Turker said, ''the Financial Times quoted an IMF official saying that the newly appointed economy minister would not sing the letter of intent as the government would change after the polls. They take decisions on behalf of Turkish people. Why do they say this? Because, they want to leave the signature under an honorable and esteemed document to a minister after me.''
Speaking at a meeting that was organized by the Confederation of Turkish Employers Unions and U.N. Development Programme Turkey Representation to introduce the U.N. Convention on Global Principles, Turker said that Turkey had had always had close relations with the United Nations.
''Especially in these days while Iraq factor is on the agenda as an operation or war, it is clear that Turkey continues to support the United Nations' all initiatives to secure peace and stability,'' he said.
Recalling that Turkey had been implementing an economic programme for three years, Turker said, ''this is not a programme imposed on us by the IMF or another international organization.''
Turker noted that Turkish companies which would try to abide by the U.N. Convention of Global Principles would make a great contribution to destruction of unjust criticisms against Turkey especially about human rights.
Defending that some circles in Turkey took decisions on behalf of Turkish people, Turker said, ''some circles firstly had the media in Turkey prepare news and later they had the Financial Times prepare a news. According to the Financial Times, an IMF official told that they would not accept my signature under the letter of intent because the cabinet would change. I am the minister who will sign the letter of intent and send it to the IMF.''