ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin and some ministers left for Iran on Saturday.
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Health Minister Recep Akdag, Public Works and Settlement Minister Zeki Ergezen, Interparliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Ahmet Inal and Turkish Ambassador to Iran Selahattin Alpar left for Bam city which was jolted by a devastating quake.
Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Sahin said that they would be received by President Mohammad Khatami of Iran.
Stating that they made contact with Iranian officials and they told Iranian officials that they could extend assistance to Iran immediately after quake in Bam city which took place last week, Sahin said that they sent aid materials by six cargo planes to Iran after that country asked Turkey to extend support for quake. He noted that 106 personnel were working in Bam currently.
Sahin said that they would go to Iran to express ''quick recovery'' messages of Turkey and stated that they would assess the situation in Bam city and they would also receive information from officials about Turkish team's efforts there.
Noting that Red Crescent which earlier sent 400 tents to the city would also send 200 tents to quake zone, Sahin recalled that Public Works and Settlement Ministry earlier sent eight prefabricated houses to the region.
Sahin said that beds, blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and other materials were included in containers which were sent to Bam and stated that after they visited Bam city, they would proceed to Tehran. Sahin said that they would meet with President Mohammad Khatami and First Vice President. Sahin said that they would convey quick recovery message of Turkey to Khatami.
He noted that if there was any demand of Iranian government, they would assess it.
When asked what was the reason of delay of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Iran, Sahin said, ''I don't have any information on this issue. We did not talk about Erdogan's visit to this country. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul will go to Iran next week.''
An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Bam city of Iran at 5:28 a.m. Iranian time on December 26, 2003, killing and injuring many.
(EÖ-UK) 03.01.2004