Bush proposes aid to Turkey

27 March 2003
President Bush on 25 March requested that Congress approve $1,000 million in grants for Turkey, despite recent tension between the two countries over Turkey's role in the Iraq war. While far short of the offer on the table at one stage of negotiations, the package was reported to be substantially more than Ankara had expected. 'A portion of this may be used by Turkey to pay fees to cover the budget cost of up to $8,500 million in direct loans or loan guarantees to help Turkey in carrying out comprehensive economic and financial reforms and relieving potential balance of payments needs that may result from hostilities in Iraq,' the White House budget request stated. Congress has yet to approve the request.

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