The Editor,

I am pleased to elaborate on an issue which was raised in your column "The

Gecko" in the May 16-29, 1997 edition. Yes, the Embassy of Israel is supporting

the "Hagar" project of Youth With A Mission in Cambodia, through the international

cooperation between the government of the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Cambodia.

YWAM, with the blessing of the Ministry of Social, Labor and Veteran Affairs, is

carrying out its noble task of providing shelter and new hope for homeless women

and children who were saved from misery and hopelessness. Above all, Hagar is a humanitarian

project, and excuse us if we cannot refuse to extend our hand and help.

The center for international cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs

is active in that project as in other projects in Cambodia and other countries in

Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and America.

The decision to support a specific project is based on many variables. Not even one

of them is connected to religion, race or color of the recipient. We believe in the

right of every child to food, shelter, education and fair treatment. Do you?

- Yaacov Avrahamy, First Secretary, Embassy of Israel, Bangkok.