New Projects From Turkey Which Undertakes Command Of I.S.A.F.

ANKARA (A.A) - 19.07.2002 - Turkey, which is commanding International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, will undertake new projects within the scope of ''civilian military coordination.''
Sources said on Friday that Yakatut school in Kabul started to be repaired under the supervision of Turkey on July 10 while Turkey also undertook three children's playground projects planned to be carried out in the capital.
Also, the Red Crescent will start to distribute food for 20 thousand babies at the end of August.
Re-building efforts in Afghanistan continue under supervision of ISAF. Within this scope, rehabilitation works of military hospital in Kabul continue. Emergency service will start to be constructed soon.
Initiatives related with Kabul Fire Brigade Center planned to be constructed by European Union (EU) funds have been launched while infrastructural works to meet water need of the city have been accelerated.
Afghan officials and ISAF have undertaken new responsibilities as Afghan refugees and Afghan people who had to leave their country started to return back to Afghanistan.
If officials are not able to meet basic needs like accomodation, food and clothes, it is feared that this situation can deteriorate stability and peace in the country.
Turkey, which promised to extend 5 million U.S. dollars of aid in five years, has made 2 million U.S. dollars of aid within the scope of these projects so far.
Meanwhile, Turkey is helping Afghan officials during the investigation of assassination of Afghan Vice President and Public Works Minister Haji Abdul Qadir. Turkey exerts efforts for an objective investigation.
Noting that ISAF's mandate was to help settlement and maintenance of security in the region, the officials said that to this end, its assistance in investigation of the assassination was a part of its duty.
ISAF is having cooperation with Afghan Interior and Justice ministries and intelligence units.
ISAF Commander Hilmi Akin Zorlu had a meeting with the members of the investigation commission last week and exchanged views with Afghan officials about the assassination.
Zorlu's proposal that a working group should be formed was welcomed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
After the assassination, ISAF has started to train guards of Afghan officials. ISAF is currently training four guards from every ministry. The officials said that this number can be increased to six.