Tuesday, May 13, 2008

By VANESSA COLÓN
THE FRESNO BEE

last updated: December 24, 2007 01:00:40 AM

When federal agents raided offices and arrested California Hmong leaders earlier this year, the future of Fresno's annual Hmong International New Year celebration appeared in jeopardy.

A founder of the event was among those arrested in June after a six-month undercover investigation dubbed Operation Tarnished Eagle. Organizers' offices were raided and computers were seized. Even more devastating: The revered Hmong leader, Gen. Vang Pao, was among those jailed for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Laotian government.

But organizers say they now expect the event, which runs Wednesday through Jan. 1, will be bigger than ever, at least in part because of this year's raids and the emotional impact they had on the Hmong community.

"There was concern we couldn't have the New Year. ... There was concern people would not want to come because of what happened to our leader. It's been a big impact on the community. ... Everyone is happy now," said Charlie Vang, executive director of the Hmong International New Year.

Federal agents arrested 10 Hmong leaders in June, including Vang Pao and Youa True Vang, also known as Joseph Youa Vang, who helped found Fresno's Hmong International New Year.

At the time of his arrest, Youa True Vang was not involved in the organization, said Charlie Vang.

The weeklong New Year's celebration is one of the largest Hmong gatherings in the United States and attracts people from as far away as France and Thailand. The festival features cultural performances, food, craft and clothing vendors and events to help families reconnect.

Quick action to rebuild

Organizers of the annual celebration moved swiftly to get back on their feet after their offices were raided and computers hauled away. They bought two computers in July and rebuilt their records with the paper files that remained.

Planning doesn't normally start until August, so organizers still had time to pull it together, Charlie Vang said. In October, he said, federal authorities returned the four computers they had seized.

But organizers were uncertain, Vang said, whether people would avoid the festival because of the raids and the arrest of the general.

Vang Pao's arrest ignited protests in Fresno and Sacramento among Hmong who believed the arrests of the general and nine other Hmong were a betrayal by the U.S. government.

Working with the CIA, Vang Pao led a special guerrilla unit fighting on behalf of the United States in a secret war in Laos and Vietnam from 1961 to 1975. Afterward, Vang Pao helped bring the Hmong to the United States.

The Hmong suspects and a retired Army Ranger were charged with conspiring to kill, kidnap and injure people in a foreign country, a violation of the U.S. Neutrality Act.

Vang Pao was released from jail in July and got a federal judge's permission Dec. 12 to participate in Fresno's Hmong International New Year celebration at the Fresno Fairground. He is scheduled to speak during opening ceremonies Wednesday.

Vang Pao's arrest has fueled interest in attending the Hmong International New Year among people who want to see him. Vang Pao, 77, has suffered from diabetes, heart problems and other ailments. Charlie Vang said he expects opening day will draw about 45,000 people, about 15,000 more than last year.

But some Hmong residents say they are coming because the celebration is the only opportunity to reunite with family and friends who are scattered across the globe.

Fresno City Councilman Blong Xiong said this has been a difficult year for the Hmong community. In addition to Vang Pao's arrest, the community has been troubled about federal government delays in giving Hmong veterans green cards.

A spending bill awaiting President Bush's signature includes a provision to relax federal rules so Hmong soldiers who fought on behalf of the United States during the secret war won't be classified as terrorists. Those provisions have prevented some Hmong from qualifying for green cards, a key step toward gaining citizenship.