TEHRAN A group of Iranian truckdrivers who have been delayed at Kurbolagh Customs Office in Turkey since mid-March, 2001, have urged the Iranian government to help solve their problem.

In a letter sent to the Iranian Embassy in Ankara, the Iranian truckdrivers said their trucks have been stopped at the Turkish customs office since last March, adding that they are currently in a bad condition.

The Iranian trucks were carrying dried fruits and agricultural products ordered by some Turkish companies. Shortly before the arrival of the Iranian trucks at the Kurbolagh Customs Office, the deputy director and a number of employees of the office were arrested for financial corruption and bribery. Soon afterward, the managers of some Turkish companies were also arrested on the same charges.

The Iranian truckdrivers in their letter complained that the Turkish officials have not taken any measures to solve the problem, and that they are currently suffering from the shortage of money and food.

"If a similar case had happened in Iran, the Turkish drivers would not have been humiliated, but would have been provided with the necessary facilities," the letter further said.