[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 4 (Monday, February 1, 1999)]
[Page 135]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.