ANKARA - State Minister Ali Babacan left for the United States on Tuesday.
Prior to his departure, Babacan told reporters that he would discuss how Turkey and Turkish economy would be affected by a possible operation against Iraq and what kind of preparations Turkey could make on the issue with the officials of the U.S. Treasury Department.
Stating that there were many unknowns concerning a possible operation against Iraq, Babacan said, ''whether a military operation will be staged against Iraq or not is not even clear. If an operation against Iraq is staged, how long it will last? Some scenarios will be assessed in the meetings.''
Babacan said that he would attend a meeting in the United Nations in New York with Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and stated that he would deliver a speech in annual meeting of Assembly of Turkish and American Associations in Washington D.C. during his contacts in the United States.
Stating that he would meet with U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Babacan said that economic policies of the government would be taken up at the meeting.
Babacan noted that special issues related to the region would be discussed and Iraq issue would be brought onto the agenda at the meetings.
When asked whether they were ready for a possible increase in price of oil in 2003, Babacan said, ''it is not possible to talk about definite numbers as there are many unknown things. What are possible scenarios? What kind of developments can happen? Scenarios will be discussed mutually. We will take up how Turkey and Turkish economy will be affected by a possible operation against Iraq.''
Babacan will proceed to Copenhagen after wrapping up his contacts in the United States.