    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 23, 1999]
    [Page 2340]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 2340]]

    Statement on Providing Disaster Assistance to Venezuela
    December 23, 1999

        Today I authorized a $20 million drawdown of emergency disaster
    assistance to support relief operations in Venezuela. This assistance,
    to be drawn from existing Department of Defense inventories, will
    augment the $5.5 million we have already committed to Venezuela. These
    funds will support continued search and rescue operations by U.S.
    military helicopters now on the scene, airlift of food, shelter, and
    medicines, water purification systems, and other critical needs.
        As I told President Chavez when I spoke to
    him by telephone on Tuesday, we are deeply saddened by the loss of life
    and devastation that has taken place in Venezuela. The heroic response
    of the Venezuelan people to this calamity has left a profound impression
    on all of us. Through the efforts of our military and USAID, we will
    continue to do everything possible to help the people of Venezuela.
    Providing this assistance is not only the right thing to do; it also
    promotes our interest in ensuring stability in a nation that is a key
    partner in the hemisphere.
        At this holiday season, the people of Venezuela are in our thoughts
    and prayers.