(E-008/01 January 16, 2001 OAS SECRETARY GENERAL EXPRESSES SYMPATHY Speaking today in Lima, Peru, Organization of American States Secretary General César Gaviria expressed his deepest sympathies in the aftermath of the recent earthquake that inflicted a heavy death toll on El Salvador and other parts of Central America. Pointing to the severity of the disaster--hundreds of casualties and heavy material damage--the Secretary General appealed to the international community to step up relief efforts for the thousands affected. "We are really alarmed at how the fury of nature has lashed this Central American region that was just barely getting over the ravages of Hurricane Mitch of October 1998," the OAS Secretary General stated in Lima, where he is on a working visit. Mr. Gaviria said he was constantly in touch the Chairman of the OAS Permanent Council and with other senior officials of the Organization, to consider possible joint effort to deliver aid to the Salvadorian people. He said as well that when it meets on Thursday, the Permanent Council will include an agenda item on "Solidarity with and assistance for the government and people of El Salvador" and will move immediately on measures to deliver aid.
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