    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [January 20, 1995]
    [Pages 72-73]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on Disaster Assistance to Japan
    January 20, 1995

    To the Congress of the United States:

        I have directed the Secretary of Defense to provide appropriate
    disaster assistance to the Government of Japan in response to the
    devastating earthquake of January 17, 1995. As required by section 404
    of title 10, United States Code, I am notifying the Congress that the
    United States commence disaster relief operations on January 18, 1995,
    at 11:06 p.m., eastern standard time. To date, the U.S. military has
    provided 37,000 blankets. In addition, the following information is
    provided:

    [[Page 73]]

        1. Disaster relief assistance is being provided in response to an
            earthquake affecting Kobe and Osaka, Japan.
        2. Reports indicate at least 3,100 people have died, nearly 900 are
            missing, over 16,000 are injured, and an estimated 240,000 are
            homeless. The destruction of basic physical infrastructure poses
            a threat to the lives of the survivors.
        3. Currently, U.S. military involvement has been limited to 15 U.S.
            Air Force C-130 Hercules sorties. Further requests for U.S.
            military assistance in the form of transportation, supplies,
            services, and equipment are unknown at this time.
        4. Switzerland is providing search and rescue dog teams. Assistance
            by other countries is unknown.
        5. Anticipated duration of disaster assistance activities is
            unknown.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    January 20, 1995.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    January 23.