Turkey may get £10 billion for war aid

The United States is discussing a £10 billion (€15 billion) aid package with Turkey designed to cushion the country from the economic shock of a possible war with Iraq.

The package of loans or grants would be based on whether Turkey co-operated in any war effort and would also be conditional on Turkey adhering to an IMF-backed economic programme, said a US official.

Turkish Economy Minister Ali Babacan admitted at the weekend that he has been in talks with the US on an aid package, but added that no concrete figure has been reached.