    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [January 27, 1999]
    [Page 115]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Assistance to Colombia in the Aftermath of the Earthquake
    January 27, 1999

        On behalf of all the people of the United States, I want to express
    our deepest sympathies to the people of Colombia who have lost loved
    ones or suffered injuries in Monday's devastating earthquake. It appears
    that more than 1,000 people were killed and more than 3,000 were
    injured. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, leaving many homeless.
        I have spoken by telephone to President Pastrana and assured him that the United States will do its
    part to support relief and recovery. Already, a 62-member U.S. search
    and rescue team has arrived in Colombia, at the request of the Colombian
    Government, to help find and assist survivors. Today we are making
    available through USAID $2 million for immediate disaster relief,
    including airlifts of blankets and shelter materials and other emergency
    needs identified by our two Governments. We will deploy a new team of
    technical advisers to bolster Colombia's rescue efforts. And with the
    strong support of the United States, the Inter-American Development Bank
    has already pledged $10 million for rebuilding.
        We will stay in close contact with the Colombian Government to
    determine how else we can help. As with the response to Hurricane Mitch
    in Central America, I know the people of the United States will want to
    assist in the wake of this tragedy. I say to Colombians what I said to
    Central Americans: Ayudaremos a nuestros hermanos--we will help our
    brothers and sisters. It is the right thing to do, and it supports our
    interest in a stable, democratic, and prosperous hemisphere.
        As I said in October when President Pastrana visited the White House, his Presidency represents a
    new beginning for Colombia, a new opportunity that Monday's tragedy
    cannot and must not undermine. We will continue to work closely with him
    as he leads Colombia toward a more peaceful and prosperous future.