Turkish Leader Unveils Plan to Boost Economy

Prime Minister Turgut Ozal unveiled a plan Friday to sell off state enterprises, free interest rates and loosen restrictions on the Turkish currency.

He also told members of the 450-seat Parliament that Turkey will continue to seek membership in the European Communities.

Ozal, whose Motherland Party won last month’s parliamentary elections, said the plan would bolster the economy, and he predicted that Turkey would become a major industrialized nation by 2000 “if political and economic stability continues.”

He pledged changes in the 1982 military-imposed constitution, the nation’s civil code, criminal code and the centralized university system. He offered no details.

Ozal said Turkey has been moving toward a free market economy since he came to power in 1983. He said the new measures, such as making the Turkish lira convertible, will continue to strengthen the free market system.

Ozal predicted that by the end of his five-year term, exports will double to $20 billion and tourism revenues will reach $5 billion, up from $1.5 billion.

The government also will aim to increase economic and trade ties with the Soviet Union, its northern neighbor, Ozal said.

In foreign policy, Ozal said he will continue efforts to establish a dialogue with Greece “because Greek and Turkish people want friendship, and disputes can only be solved through negotiations.”