Jerusalem, 20 February 1997
FOREIGN MINISTRY SENDING EMERGENCY AID TO BULGARIA
(Communicated by Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
In light of the current crisis in Bulgaria, Foreign Minister David Levy
has instructed his Ministry to dispatch emergency aid to Sofia as soon as
possible.
On Sunday, 23.2.97, about one ton of medical supplies will be sent as a
humanitarian gesture to ease the current shortage of medicines in
Bulgarian hospitals.
The aid is being funded by the Foreign Ministry and its contents were
determined in coordination with the Ministry of Health and according to a
detailed list received from the Bulgarian authorities.
Israel's ambassador in Sofia, David Cohen, will receive the shipment and
transfer it to the Bulgarian Red Cross, which will then distribute the
medication to hospitals throughout the country.
The Foreign Ministry will, if possible, consider sending additional
shipments in the near future, depending on developments in the area.
Israel hopes that the aid will ease the distress of Bulgarian people. The
Jewish people are indebted to Bulgaria for its role in saving the
Bulgarian Jewish community during the Holocaust.