Author: Jidarian Alex

PACE RESOLUTION ON NAGORNY KARABAKH DOES NOT SHOW POSITION AND DESIRE
OF ARMENIAN PARTY IN ISSUE OF KARABAKH’s CONFLICT SETTLEMENT: GALUST
SAHAKYAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26. ARMINFO. Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Nagorny Karabakh will not affect
the process of Karabakh’s conflict settlement within the framework of
the OSCE Minsk Group, Leader of Republican Party of Armenia Galust
Sahakyan told ARMINFO, commenting on the PACE resolution on NK adopted
the day before.

Sahakyan noted that the PACE resolution does not show the position and
desire of the Armenian party in the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, however, it should be noted, that a final version of the
document, in comparison with an original, is rather moderate. He
considers positive that the document calls on Azerbaijani authorities
to start negotiations with the NK communities on definition of its
status. According to him, it is a result of successful activity of
Armenian delegation to PACE. -R-

Azeri diaspora set to discuss Karabakh issue with Swedish premier

Trend news agency
21 Jan 05

BAKU

A group of Azerbaijanis living in Sweden has sent a letter to the
Swedish prime minister, asking him to meet the [Azerbaijani] diaspora
at the government level in order to discuss the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict and the issue of southern Azerbaijan [northwestern Iran
predominantly populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis], the head of the
Azerbaijan-Sweden Federation, Manaf Sababi, has told Trend.

Stockholm has not responded to the message yet. “We hope that the
Swedish government will show interest in the problems of Azerbaijan
and express its position,” Sababi said.

Montreal Gazette, Canada
Jan 18 2005

CIBC broker never told couple about guarantee

Compliance officers hoodwinked; Migirdic lied to supervisors; ex-VP
says brokerage didn’t check what he told them

PAUL DELEAN
The Gazette

CREDIT: JOHN KENNEY, THE GAZETTE
Harry Migirdic tries to conceal himself from a photographer yesterday
at the Montreal courthouse. He told his Superior Court trial he did
not know how he was able to avoid detection so long with his
deceptive practices while he worked at CIBC World Markets.

Former CIBC World Markets broker and vice-president Harry Migirdic
never informed a retired Montreal couple their investments were
guaranteeing the trading accounts of two people they didn’t know, one
of them his uncle in Istanbul, Turkey.

But whenever CIBC’s compliance department questioned him about the
accounts, Migirdic insisted that Haroutioun Markarian, 71, and his
wife, Alice, 67, knew all about the guarantees and were comfortable
with them. He only fessed up to CIBC officials in 2001, just before
being terminated.

Migirdic was asked yesterday by the Markarians’ lawyer, Serge
Letourneau, how he managed to avoid detection despite repeated
inquiries from the compliance department over the years.

“I don’t know,” replied Migirdic, 49, a key witness in the Superior
Court trial in which the Markarians are seeking $10 million in
punitive damages from CIBC, plus the return of $1.4 million seized
from them by the brokerage when the guarantees were exercised in
2001.

Although the couple had never met Migirdic clients Rita Luthi and
Sebuh Gazarosyan, the beneficiaries of the guarantees, the broker
told his supervisors at CIBC that Luthi was a business partner of
Markarian and Gazarosyan was a shareholder in his company.

Migirdic said that, to his knowledge, the CIBC never attempted to
contact Gazarosyan directly, though the trading account had been in
the red for years and previously was guaranteed by other clients.

The former broker admitted yesterday to changing the risk tolerance
on the Markarians’ know-your-client forms without their knowledge or
consent, misleading them about why they were getting statements
bearing Gazarosyan’s name (he blamed it on a mix-up in the Toronto
office), and falsely telling CIBC the Markarians had specifically
asked not to receive monthly statements of trading activity in the
Luthi account.

Asked by Letourneau why Markarian routinely signed whatever he handed
him, without verifying the contents, Migirdic said “he trusted me …
I guess because I’ve done good for him in past years.”

In the course of yesterday’s proceedings, it emerged that Migirdic –
now unemployed – had run afoul of CIBC’s trading practices in the
mid-1990s, when he was found guilty of discretionary trading in an
account that ran up losses of $250,000. CIBC repaid the client but
each month kept a portion of Migirdic’s commissions as repayment, he
testified.

Asked by Letourneau if CIBC had ever asked him to pay back any of the
almost $1 million in accumulated losses in the Gazarosyan account,
and for which the Markarians were ultimately held responsible,
Migirdic said no.

In other testimony yesterday, Alice Markarian said the couple’s trust
in Migirdic was such that when he asked them to sign something, they
did it. “I trusted my husband, who trusted Harry Migirdic.”

Like them, Migirdic was an active member of Montreal’s Armenian
community, from which he drew about half his 400 clients.

Migirdic even came to the house and helped organize their financial
papers, she said. “I saw him tearing stuff up sometimes.”

She said the CIBC seizure had a profound effect on her husband, who
had only $300 to his name when he immigrated with her from Egypt in
1962 and built a prosperous machine-shop business here.

“He didn’t want to go to Armenian functions. He didn’t want to face
people who wanted to talk about (what happened). He felt humiliated
personally.”

Son Arek, 37, also testified his father took it hard. “He was a
respected man, a founding member of the Armenian community, one of
the builders. It was a tremendous blow to his ego, his self-esteem
…. Losing half what you worked your life for, in one afternoon, at
his age – it changed him. It aged him.”

The trial continues today.

=60981&cat=India

Kids refuse to part with baby elephant gifted by government to Armenia:-
Bangalore | January 16, 2005 7:40:11 PM IST

Dozens of children, some as young as five, lined the streets of
Bangalore protesting the Centre’s decision to send a baby elephant to
Armenia as a goodwill gift.

The children, many wearing elephant masks and struggling with banners
twice their size, shouted slogans and pleaded to the authorities to
let “Veda”, the six-year-old female elephant, to stay.

The baby pachyderm is currently spending its last few days at the
Bannerghatta National Park on the outskirts of the city.

People for Animals, a voluntary organisation spearheading the
campaign, says the cold and dry climate of the tiny European nation is
unsuitable for Asian elephants and “Veda”, who is used to the warmth
of the coast , faces a serious survival threat even in the special
climate controlled enclosures provided by the zoo.

Urging the government to reconsider its decision, Siddhant, also six
years old, said Veda was his friend and like him could not stay away
from home. “This elephant should not be sent to such a cold climate
which is zero degree. If my parents send me away to a cold climate I
cannot live,” he said.

Activists say that elephants are extremely sensitive and emotional and
little Veda will face both loneliness and confusion when shifted from
the sanctuary. Sharat Babu, an activist, said even the government was
not aware about how well the Armenia zoo was equipped to handle
Veda. “We are actually protesting against the illegal transfer of
Veda, the baby elephant which has for six years been in Bannerghatta
to Armenia, where temperatures are totally unsuitable and the housing
is incorrect in the Armenia zoo,” he said.

Armenian officials had asked the Indian government for a female
pachyderm in 1999. Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee promised
them an elephant during a visit to Armenia last year. (ANI)

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005

FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS AMBASSADORS OF GREECE AND
UZBEKISTAN IN BAKU
[January 14, 2005, 23:17:44]

Foreign minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov on
January 14 has met ambassador of Greece to Azerbaijan Merkurios
Carafotias on completion of his diplomatic mission and the newly
appointed ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Ismatill Ergashev.

Expressing his gratitude for attention he was shown during his
activity in Azerbaijan, the Greek ambassador said he did his best for
development of relations between Greece and Azerbaijan. He stated his
confidence that his successor would also continue working in this
direction.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov highly assessed the Ambassador’s activity
for development of bilateral relations, also noted that visit of the
Greek president to Azerbaijan had positive influence on the
cooperation of both countries, added that these relations would
further successfully develop.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated the Uzbek diplomat Ismatill
Ergashev on his new appointment and expressed hope that the
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan would develop in the
years ahead.

Speaking of expansion of the relations between two countries,
increase of cooperation in all fields and existent opportunities, the
Ambassador said he would do his best for development of the
Azeri-Uzbek economic links.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has informed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, on the ongoing negotiations and expressed
gratitude to the ambassadors for fair position of their countries
related to the problem.

Mr. Mammadyarov wished success to the Greek ambassador in his further
activity and received copy of the credential of the Uzbek ambassador.

More babies, marriages in Karabakh in 2004, fewer divorces – Armenian agency

Arminfo, Yerevan
14 Jan 05

The national statistics service of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic
(NKR) has reported that more babies were born in the republic in 2004
compared to 2003, more marriages were registered, and the number of
divorces has fallen, the Armenian news agency Arminfo said on 14
January.

In a report from Stepanakert ,an Arminfo correspondent said 2,095
babies were born in the republic in 2004, 37 more than in 2003. There
were 798 marriages, which was 122 more than the previous year, an
increase of 18 per cent. The report said the number of marriages in
2004 increased in all districts of the NKR compared to 2003 apart from
Shushi and Shaumyan .

There were 89 divorces, four fewer than in 2003, a decrease of 4.3 per
cent.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Jan 12 2005

`The Supreme Council’ deputy club of RA NA to hold jubilee
celebrations from March to September 2005 devoted to the 15th
anniversary of RA NA

NKR President signs decree on implementation of changes in the
structure of the Government

In 2004, emphasis put on the development of economic and transport
constituents in the relations between Armenia and Russia

NKR President signed the law providing forced execution of legal acts

No shifts registered in Armenia-Turkey relations in 2004-Vardan
Oskanian

President of Armenia Robert Kocharian sends a congratulatory message
to Mahmoud Abbas, newly elected President of the Palestinian
Authority

Armenian President holds working meeting with Armenian Labor and
Social Affairs Minister

Armenian Government undergo staff changes

*********************************************************************

`THE SUPREME COUNCIL’ DEPUTY CLUB OF RA NA TO HOLD JUBILEE
CELEBRATIONS FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER 2005 DEVOTED TO THE 15TH
ANNIVERSARY OF RA NA

YEREVAN, January 12. /ARKA/. `The Supreme Council’ deputy club of RA
NA will hold jubilee celebrations from March to September 2005
devoted to the 15th anniversary of RA NA. As ARKA was told in the
club, `the last 15 years were the period of hardship, however, the
supreme legislative body of the country still has its special role in
the political life of Armenia’.
The first session of RA NA took place on July 20, 1990. A.H. -0–

*********************************************************************

NKR PRESIDENT SIGNS DECREE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES IN THE
STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT

STEPANAKERT, January 12. /ARKA/. NKR President Arkady Gukasian signed
decree on implementation of changes in the structure of the
Government, NKR President’s press office told ARKA. According to the
decree, the Ministry of Urban Development and Development of
Production Infrastructures has been reorganized to the Ministry of
Territorial Management and Infrastructure Development and the
Ministry of Urban Development. With the other decree Boris Alaverdian
released from position of the Minister of Urban Development and
Development of Production Infrastructures was appointed on the
position of NKR Minister of Urban Development and Armo Tsaturian
appointed on the position of NKR Minister of Territorial Management
and Infrastructure Development.
Gukasian also signed a decree according to which Garik Grigorian was
appointed NKR President’s assistant. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

IN 2004, EMPHASIS PUT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC AND TRANSPORT
CONSTITUENTS IN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND RUSSIA

YEREVAN, January 12. /ARKA/. In 2004, the emphasis was put on the
development of economic and transport constituents in the relations
between Armenia and Russia, as stated RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vartan Oskanian during the press-conference summing up the results of
2004. According to him, many economic problems were solved in 2004.
In particular, an agreement was achieved on participation of Armenia
in construction of the North-South international transport corridor,
which is of strategic importance to Armenia from the standpoint of
having an alternative way for transport communication with the world
through the territory of Iran. Besides, Oskanian noted that the ferry
for cargo transportation between Poti and Caucasus will be of high
importance for the trade turnover between the countries. Due to the
ferry communication, the expenses on transportation of Armenia-Russia
cargo will reduce. Among the actual issues of the agenda on economic
cooperation between Armenia and Russia Oskanian noted the necessity
of restoring full work of the enterprises given to Russian by Armenia
to redeem the state debt of RA to RF, increasing the volume of cargo
transportation between the countries, high participation of the
Russian capital in the Armenian economy, and full use of the
energetic potential of Armenia.
The Minister noted that in 2004 the relations with Russia developed
in military-political, trade-economic and humanitarian sectors. In
particular, in 2004, an Armenian-Russian Association for Business
Cooperation was established, uniting about 100 companies from the two
countries. Besides, currently about 50 subjects of RF actively
participate with the regions of Armenia in the area of economy.
Oskanian also noted that in the framework of cooperation between RA
and RF Ministries of Culture for 2003-2005, the days of RF culture
were held in Armenia in April 2004, and in March 2004 a week of the
Armenian film was held in Moscow. According to Oskanian, an agreement
was reached to announce the year of 2005 as a year of Russia in
Armenia, and the year of 2006 – that of Armenia in Russia. A.H. –0–

*********************************************************************

NKR PRESIDENT SIGNED THE LAW PROVIDING FORCED EXECUTION OF LEGAL ACTS

STEPANAKERT, January 12. /ARKA/. NKR President Arkady Gukasian signed
the law providing forced execution of legal acts. The President also
signed the law on water users communities and on implementation of
changes and novels to the law on order of publication and entry in
force of laws and other normative acts, NKR President’s press office
told ARKA. L.D. –0–
The laws were passed in NKR NA on Dec 8, 2004. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

NO SHIFTS REGISTERED IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS IN 2004-VARDAN
OSKANIAN

YEREVAN, January 12. /ARKA/. No shifts registered in Armenia-Turkey
relations in 2004, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian stated at the
press conference in result of 2004. According to him, Turkey
continues connection of opening of Armenian-Turkish border and
settlement of relations with several pre-conditions, while Armenia is
for establishment of relations without pre-conditions. He also
reminded that in 2004 foreign ministers of Armenia and Turkey met in
Istanbul and New-York, and discussed bilateral relations during the
meeting. The parties also exchange views on regional and
international developments. At the same time the Minister stressed
that in 2004 bilateral relations continued demonstration of activity
from non-government structures. Besides trilateral meeting of foreign
ministers of Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan took place in the frames
of Istanbul NATO summit. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA ROBERT KOCHARIAN SENDS A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
TO MAHMOUD ABBAS, NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE PALESTINIAN
AUTHORITY
YEREVAN, January 12. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian sent a
congratulatory message to Mahmoud Abbas, newly elected President of
the Palestinian Authority. As the Press Service of RA President told
ARKA agency, Kocharian wished the newly elected President good health
and productive work and expressed confidence that the received vote
of confidence would serve for the Palestinian President as the
strongest guarantee for establishment of peace and stability in the
region. L.V. -0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS WORKING MEETING WITH ARMENIAN LABOR AND
SOCIAL AFFAIRS MINISTER

YEREVAN, January 12. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian had
working meeting with Armenian Labor and Social Affairs Minister
Aghvan Vardanyan. As Armenian President Press Service told ARKA,
during the meeting Vardanyan presented to the Head of the Armenian
State the results of the Ministry’s activity for 2004 as well as he
outlined plans for the year 2005. During the meeting the officials
particularly discussed the issues related to reforming of the pension
system T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT UNDERGO STAFF CHANGES

YEREVAN, January 12. /ARKA/. The Armenian Government underwent staff
changes. As Armenian Government Press and Public Relations Department
told ARKA, by decree of Armenian PM Andranik Margarian, Deputy
Armenian Finance and Economy Minister Meruzhan Mikayelyan, Deputy
Armenian Justice Minister Anahit Avagyan, Deputy Armenian Minister of
Labor and Social Affairs Karine Hakobyan were released from the
positions held. T.M. -0–

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 11 2005

SPEAKER MEETS WITH GREEK AMBASSADOR
[January 11, 2005, 23:08:09]

On January 11, Speaker of the Milli Majlis /Parliament/ of Azerbaijan
Murtuz Alasgarov received Ambassador of Greece Mercurios Karafotias
on completion of his tenure in Azerbaijan.

The Speaker expressed satisfaction with development of relationship
between the two countries. The reciprocal visits by our leaders and
the documents signed as a result, have brought the bilateral
relations up to a new level; our interparliamentary cooperation is
also developing, our deputies often express common stance in the
international organization, he said.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Murtuz Alasgarov said
that a number of reputable international organizations had confirmed
the fact of occupation of the Azerbaijani lands and urged Armenia to
release the territories, but the country is not going to abandon its
aggressive policy. He expressed hope the PACE 25 January session at
which the relevant report is to be delivered, will give an impetus to
the problem’s resolution.

The Speaker, finally, thanked the Greek Government for the support in
relation to the conflict, and wished the Ambassador success in his
future activities.

Mr. Karafotias expressed gratitude for the kind words and noted that
his country is very interested in development of cooperation with
Azerbaijan. He said that the question of forming interparliamentary
friendship group with Azerbaijan was discussed at the very first
meeting of the newly elected Greek Parliament, and described this
fact as a graphic indicator of Athens’ attitude towards Azerbaijan.
The Ambassador also touched upon the official visit by President
Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to Greece scheduled for 2005. We hope this
will open a new stage of our developing relationship, he said. Mr.
Karafotias reaffirmed that his country supports fair position of
Azerbaijan with respects to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and stands for
its settlement on the base of the principles of the international law
and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The parties also exchanged views on a number of other issues of
mutual interest.

Sunday Mercury
January 9, 2005, Sunday

Andy Halder cannot wait to fight Arsen Khachatrian

IAN CLARKSON DETERMINED

ANDY Halder is being lined up for a crack at the WBF World
Middleweight title in March.

Halder, 31, currently holds the WBF Inter-Continental belt and his
manager, Jack Weaver, is in talks to set up a fight with Arsen
Khachatrian.

He came of age in 2004 when he picked up the Midland Area title as
well, and would relish the chance of fighting the Armenian-born,
French-based champion.

Khachatrian has won 25 of his 26 fights and the plan would be to
bring him over to Coventry in early March.

But there is also a possibility of Halder meeting Donovan Smillie in
a British title final eliminator. It would double up as an English
title fight with the winner taking on Scott Dann later in the year.

But Halder has slammed rumours that he is being lined up to fight
Coventry’s other middleweight hope – Steve Bendall.

Bendall, who lost against Dann for the British title in September,
has been based in Bournemouth but looks set to return to the
Midlands.

Yet Halder insists he will not be locking horns with Bendall in the
foreseeable future.

‘People have been asking me when I am going to fight Bendall, but it
isn’t going to happen,’ said Halder.

‘He has spoken to Jack recently, so could well be in our camp soon,
and we have no reason to fight each other at present either. I have
got a feeling that 2005 is going to be my year as I have improved
enormously in the last 12 months.

‘I told Jack that I had a dream recently where I won a really big
fight – I hope it comes true.

‘If there was a world title fight in Coventry I am sure we could pack
out any venue.

‘Whoever I fight, Smillie or Khachatrian, I am confident of winning.
The French bloke has won 25 of his 26 fights, but a lot of his fights
have been set up for him.

‘It is easy to have an impressive record if you are fighting
debutants and journeymen.

‘I reckon that people look at my record, see that I only have one
knockout and think that they have a chance.

‘But they don’t realise that I have been in against some good people.
I haven’t fought any mugs.

‘The power is there but it is harder to knock good fighters down.

‘However, when I beat Roddy Doran earlier in the year, I was the
first person to knock him down.’

Halder, who is now full-time following his decision to quit his job
as a trucker four months ago, will be raring to go when his schedule
is announced.

‘The Technician’, as he is known, has been training flat out over the
festive period, apart from Christmas Day.

And Halder hopes that he won’t have any more false starts after a
frustrating end to 2004.

‘I think that the BBBC should introduce a rule that stops boxers
cancelling on the day of a fight.

‘I drove all the way up to Sunderland for a bout in November, only to
be told that my opponent had pulled out at the last minute.

Frustrating

‘That can’t be right and I was fuming. I ended up boxing in an
exhibition, which is basically a glorified sparring session. And then
I was due to fight Jason Collins in December – who is from the same
camp as Smillie – and he pulled out on the morning of the fight.

‘Something needs to be done as it is really frustrating. However, I
won’t be ring-rusty when I get my title shot his year – I know that
for a fact.’

Meanwhile, Stourbridge’s Rob Norton could well be taking on John
‘Buster’ Keeton for the vacant English cruiserweight title next
month.

Norton is hoping for a crack at the British title against Mark
Hobson, but may well take the fight against Keeton to keep busy.

Fresno Bee, CA
Jan 3 2005

Valley churches call upon faith, compassion

By Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Fresno Bee

After the deadly combination of an earthquake and tsunami devastated
lives overseas, many people in the Valley who turn to their faith for
comfort are reaching out to victims who need help.

Last week, Bishop John T. Steinbock of the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Fresno asked each parish to conduct a special collection Sunday to
make clear the Catholic community’s response to the disaster that
struck countries from Malaysia to East Africa the day after
Christmas.

The death toll Sunday stood at more than 137,000, but thousands more
remain missing.

Other churches also are extending a helping hand, which adds to the
many donations coming from individuals and agencies that are fueling
the relief work overseas.

St. Paul Armenian Church in east-central Fresno, for example, held a
special collection Sunday at the direction of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America. “We had a tremendous response
and will repeat it next Sunday,” said the Rev. Arshen Aivazian.

Many churches, such as Aivazian’s, are offering heartfelt prayers for
the dead and the surviving. But it also is a natural response to send
monetary assistance.

In the case of his church, Aivazian said the Armenian people are
“very understanding and sympathetic,” especially since they have
suffered themselves. In 1988, an earthquake in northwestern Armenia
killed tens of thousands of people.

The Rev. John Coelho-Harguindeguy, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua
Catholic Church in northwest Fresno, said parishioners there Sunday
were very generous in responding to the special collection.

“They are good-hearted people,” he said. “People basically are good.
… People basically are very generous when they see a need.”

U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland said this past weekend that 1.8
million people would need food and that the figure could rise.

At Cornerstone Church in downtown Fresno, the Rev. Jim Franklin said
the congregation offered a special prayer at its New Year’s Eve night
service and that his church regularly supports the great disaster
relief fund conducted by the Assemblies of God.

“Any time there’s tragedy, you always want to respond in compassion,”
Franklin said, “because we recognize tragedy happens to every
individual, whether we’re there or here. As a minister, I deal with
the heartaches and the tragedies in people’s lives every day.”

Franklin said now is not the time to try to figure out why such
calamities happen: “We’ve got people who are hurting, and we want to
reach out to help them.”

Not far away in downtown Fresno at St. John’s Cathedral, parishioners
pondered the sheer breadth of what happened.

“I can’t comprehend it. I just can’t comprehend it,” said Terry-Lyn
A. Schmidt. She said her faith helps her and that “you just pray and
help as much as you can.”

Lorenzo Santos Vega, a lay minister for the church, said his
Christian faith also helps him in times such as these. He said all of
the parishes are donating funds to the relief cause, and “I guarantee
you this parish is very generous. … We’ll do everything we can.”

But he also looked at it in a spiritual way. He believes those who
died are in heaven, and he prays for them.

“Money can do so much and the aid that we’ve given them, but what’s
the best thing is spiritually and our faith. I believe that so much,”
Vega said. “I know they’re in a better place. All of them. The ones
still surviving, I pray for them, too, because you know what? The
Lord will be there for them.”

HOW TO HELP
Among those accepting donations:
American Red Cross, Fresno chapter: (559) 455-1000
Chinese American Heritage fund at Bank of America: (559) 433-1278
International Medical Corps (Doctors Without Borders): (800) 481-4462

Sri Lanka Fund at United Security Bank: (559) 225-0101
West Coast Mennonite Central Committee: (559) 638-6911;
earthquake; 1010 G St., Reedley, CA 93654
International Mission Board, SBC: (800) 999-3113;