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Ambassador: â€œAzerbaijani firefighters, who participated in extinguishing fires, will be rewarded by Israelâ€- EXCLUSIVE

Ambassador: â€œAzerbaijani firefighters, who participated in extinguishing fires, will be rewarded by Israelâ€- <font color=red> EXCLUSIVE</font>

06 December 2010 15:59 (UTC +04:00)

He said that the firefighters would be rewarded by the decision of Israeli president. A ceremony will be held in this respect, either Prime Minister or President will present the rewards. The Ambassador hopes Azerbaijani firefighters will return to homeland after the ceremony.

He highly estimates Azerbaijanâ€™s participation in extinguishing fires: â€œI couldnâ€™t imagine that decision would be made so soon. Less than an hour Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations made decision to send helicopters and crew to the disaster zone. But it took some time to get permission for carrying equipment to Israel through several countriesâ€. Lotem said that Azerbaijani firefighters had arrived at the site afternoon: â€œThey continued extinguishing fire in some places today morningâ€.

As regards the cause of fire, the ambassador said that investigation is underway in this respect, negligence is supposed to cause the fire.

The diplomat also noted that after this fire there were efforts to commit arsons in some places of Israel, but they were prevented. He stated that one of these fires was registered in Jerusalem. The ambassador reminded that during Intifada Palestinian organizations had committed arson in order to damage Israel.

Informing about loss, Lotem said that 250 houses and one farm had been completely burnt, more than 30 thousand hectares woodland were destroyed. The buildings and infrastructures have been damaged. The diplomat said that his former mother-in-law lived in evacuated village around Haifa. He said that one of the villages was the one, where artists lived and worked. â€œThe burning of great collection belonging to Dada movement is a great lossâ€ he said, adding that the druzes are living in another village.
The ambassador said that all the killed people were Israeli citizens.

Commenting on the aid of Turkey, with which Israel has problems, Lotem appreciated it.
â€œTurkey offered its help itself. It is good to leave aside the discontents and take humanitarian steps,â€ he said.

The Ambassador said that there were many helping appeals to Israelâ€™s embassy in Turkey from many Turkish organizations: â€œYesterday the Turkish and Israeli diplomats had a meeting. They try to solve the political problems between both countriesâ€.