In a resolution passed today, the Organization of American States formally expressed its condolences and full support to the government and people of El Salvador which was battered by the January 13 earthquake.

The sympathies of the Permanent Council--the OAS' second highest decision-making body--were contained in a resolution entitled "Solidarity and Assistance for the People and Government of El Salvador," passed at today's meeting. The resolution received full support from the member state delegations. El Salvador's Ambassador Margarita Escobar briefed the meeting on the situation and measures being undertaken by President Francisco Flores' administration to handle the tragedy.

In the resolution, the Permanent Council asked the Secretary General to "make immediate arrangements with international agencies and competent entities, including the Inter-American Committee for Natural Disaster Reduction, to provide technical and financial support to the work started by the Government of El Salvador to cope with the emergency situation in that country and undertake national reconstruction efforts."

The Council also called upon the international community to continue, "in close coordination with the government of El Salvador, to provide support to this sister country to help it overcome the critical situation and assist in effort to rebuild and restore the country."

Speaking for the OAS, Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi said the Inter-American Committee for Natural Disaster Reduction was scheduled to meet next Monday, January 22, to consider further measures to assist the people of El Salvador.

The Permanent Council session was chaired by Chile's Ambassador Esteban Tomic who, presiding for the first time, identified democracy, human rights, the economic and political effects of globalization and peace-keeping as focus areas for his stint in the chair for the next three months.

Member country delegations also welcomed the new Permanent Representative of Nicaragua, Lombardo Martínez, and bade farewell to the Alternate Representative of Jamaica, Vilma McNish, who is leaving to become her country's Ambassador in Mexico.