We aren’t ready to accept Israel aid

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Ertan Gonen paid a visit to Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Devletabadi.

Speaking at the meeting, Gonen gave information about Turkey’s assistance to Iran following last week’s devastating quake disaster in Iran.

"Iran asked us to send stoves to the quake survivors suffering from the freezing temperatures. We have sent about a thousand stoves to Iran today. Also, our efforts have been continuing to erect a tent-city for the quake-survivors," he said.

Gonen asked Devletabadi whether the quake-survivors required anything urgently.

Meanwhile, Devletabadi thanked Turkish people and officials for their assistance.

Noting that the attitudes of Turkish people and officials stemmed from the historical and deep ties of brotherhood between Turkey and Iran, Devletabadi recalled that Turkey commiserated with them during this most difficult days of Iran.

Listing urgent requirements of Iranian quake-survivors as tents, stoves, sleeping bags, generators and medical equipment, Devletabadi said, "we fear that death toll would rise to 30 thousand."

Upon a question about Israel’s proposal for assistance, Devletabadi said, "we do not consider Israeli government a legitimate government. We are not ready to accept assistance of a government wreaking carnage in Palestine each day."

Responding a question about assistance of the United States, Devletabadi said that although there had been political disputes between Iran and the United States, they considered the United States a legitimate state.

An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Bam city of Iran at 5:28 a.m. Iranian time on December 26. Thousands of people lost their lives and about 30 thousand people were wounded since the quake hit the city when most of the people were in bed, raising fears that the death toll may go higher.