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TURKEY DECLINES ASSISTANCE OFFER FROM ISRAEL AFTER QUAKE
PanARMENIAN.Net
October 24, 2011 - 09:31 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey declined an offer of aid from its former
strategic ally Israel Sunday, October 23, after a powerful earthquake
struck southeast Turkey, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.
"I am under the impression the Turks do not want our help," Barak
told Channel 2 News. "Right now (their answer) is negative but if
they see they need more aid and don't have it, or if they rethink it,
we have made the offer and remain prepared (to help)," he said.
According to Reuters, a Turkish foreign ministry official said later
that Turkey had received offers of help from dozens of countries after
the magnitude 7.2 quake, and had so far declined assistance from all
of them.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had told all branches
of government to offer whatever help they could to the people of
Turkey. "I think this is what neighbors should be doing with one
another," he told reporters.
Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke with his Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul earlier Sunday in what was believed to be their first
conversation since the envoy was expelled.
"At this difficult time Israel is willing to provide any aid required
anywhere in Turkey and at any time," Peres told Gul, according to a
statement issued by Peres's office.
Gul told Peres that Turkey was still assessing the damage from the
earthquake and that he hoped Turkish rescue teams could handle the
disaster, the Israeli statement said.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Israel was willing
to provide "anything from food, medicine, medical staff and equipment
to search-and-rescue teams."
PanARMENIAN.Net
October 24, 2011 - 09:31 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey declined an offer of aid from its former
strategic ally Israel Sunday, October 23, after a powerful earthquake
struck southeast Turkey, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.
"I am under the impression the Turks do not want our help," Barak
told Channel 2 News. "Right now (their answer) is negative but if
they see they need more aid and don't have it, or if they rethink it,
we have made the offer and remain prepared (to help)," he said.
According to Reuters, a Turkish foreign ministry official said later
that Turkey had received offers of help from dozens of countries after
the magnitude 7.2 quake, and had so far declined assistance from all
of them.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had told all branches
of government to offer whatever help they could to the people of
Turkey. "I think this is what neighbors should be doing with one
another," he told reporters.
Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke with his Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul earlier Sunday in what was believed to be their first
conversation since the envoy was expelled.
"At this difficult time Israel is willing to provide any aid required
anywhere in Turkey and at any time," Peres told Gul, according to a
statement issued by Peres's office.
Gul told Peres that Turkey was still assessing the damage from the
earthquake and that he hoped Turkish rescue teams could handle the
disaster, the Israeli statement said.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Israel was willing
to provide "anything from food, medicine, medical staff and equipment
to search-and-rescue teams."