ISTANBUL - Works have been continuing in Istanbul's Buyuk Hendek Avenue, which became the scene of Saturday's devastating bomb attack on Neve Shalom Synagogue in order to normalize the daily life.
A five-member delegation of Istanbul Municipality Directorate of Public Works investigated the avenue, which has been closed to the traffic since the attack.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the delegation, Aytac Kurultay said that some of buildings in the avenue suffered heavy damage in the bombing.
''There are 35 damaged buildings in the aggregate. Nine of them have suffered heavy damage. They should be demolished. The synagogue is among these buildings. However, its back side is better than its facade,'' he said.
Noting that they would prepare a report including results of the investigation, Kurultay said that a decision would be taken later whether or not to demolish the damaged buildings.
Meanwhile, municipal teams have still been expending efforts to clear off the rubble.
Tradesmen having business places in the avenue were allowed by police to enter their shops.
Meanwhile, Church of England leader and Canterbury Archbishop Rowan Williams visited the scene of Saturday's bombing after paying an official visit to the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate.
Expressing his profound sorrow over loss of lives in the bombing, Willams said that they commiserated with those who lost their beloved ones.
When asked about his feelings, Williams said that there were ruins all around the avenue adding, ''but it was pain what I have seen.''
A wreath of flowers sent by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs was placed among others in front of Neve Shalom Synagogue.
Meanwhile, a group of members of the Human Rights Association (IHD) laid a black wreath in front of the Tolerance for Peace Monument in the avenue, and observed a minute of silence out of respect to those who lost their lives in Saturday's heinous attack.
Speaking at the ceremony, IHD Chairman Husnu Ondul said that they condemned such brutal attacks on civilian people, and described the attacks as a crime committed against whole humanity.
He extended condolences to the families of the dead.
(UK-AY) 18.11.2003