Relief Agency Denies Failure to Dispatch Aid

The president of a Camarillo-based Christian evangelical group whose fund-raising practices are being investigated by federal and local authorities Monday denied news reports that the group has raised millions of dollars through its nationwide advertising appeal for aid to Ethiopia but failed to deliver any aid to the African nation.

L. Joe Bass, president of Inter-Aid Inc., which also uses the name International Christian Aid, accused the news media of a “witch hunt” and of “wild and reckless statements” that have “hurt all relief efforts and, ultimately, the needy people we serve.”

Bass said his organization raised only $251,487 for Ethiopia from the inception of its newspaper and cable television appeal last Nov. 9 through the end of the year. Another $83,000 has been raised so far this year, he said.

He specifically denied a report in the New York Times last week that the group had raised $20 million in the last quarter of 1984.

“The truth is that that is 80 times more than we have raised for Ethiopia in the last quarter for 1984,” Bass said.

Bass also said his group has shipped medical supplies and equipment worth $47,500 and has “remitted” another $115,000 for its relief efforts in Ethiopia. Officials from several relief agencies working in Ethiopia have said they have no knowledge of Inter-Aid’s presence in Ethiopia.

Bass said Monday that his organization is not registered with the Ethiopian government but instead channels money and supplies through Doctors Without Borders, a French relief group, and the Christian Relief and Development Assn. (CRDA), an independent relief organization that works exclusively in Ethiopia.

As evidence that the supplies had actually been shipped, an Inter-Aid employee provided a photocopy of a telex dispatch which she said was from Inter-Aid’s representative in the Netherlands.

It showed general descriptions of the medical supplies, 25 tons of protein blend and a Toyota Land Cruiser under the heading, “Shipment Finalized.”

However, the organization provided only one bill of lading showing the specific goods shipped. That was for the Land Cruiser. Nor did any documents indicate receipt of the goods by the agencies identified by Bass.

A representative of Doctors Without Borders said in Paris on Friday that the group had not yet received any money or supplies from Inter-Aid.

Efforts by the Los Angeles Times to reach the CRDA in Ethiopia on Monday were unsuccessful. However, representatives of two other relief agencies with contacts in Ethiopia said Monday they had heard no reports of large shipments reaching CRDA from Inter-Aid.

Responding to those reports Monday, Bass acknowledged that he did not know exactly where the supplies and money were. “Sounds like it’s in the pipeline,” Bass said. “It’s been shipped. It’s on its way. Waybills are there. Documents are there. If it’s like the Royal Air Force, if it’s like other organizations trying to get food into Ethiopia, it’s stuck on docks. We all know the dock problems. It’s red tape and it’s a logistical nightmare there.”

Also on Monday, Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael Bradbury said his office began an investigation into possible misrepresentation by ICA in its solicitation of funds early in 1983 and is now ready to turn its findings over to federal authorities.

“We have reason to believe that no funds or aid as a result of fund raising has reached Ethiopia from ICA,” Bradbury said.