|
[Home Page] [Newsletters] [About Mil Harmon] [Future Plans] [Sponsors] [Advisors] [News Coverage] [Acronyms]
|
|
TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT, Report 5 December 20, 1985 Dear Friends: From the moment I was placed under house arrest at the SHEREMETYEVO HOTEL last June 18th, I knew I would have to return to Moscow to do those things I had intended to do related to that trip. It seemed appropriate to schedule my return to coincide with the Summit meetings. Last month's trip to Moscow was the most interesting, exciting and productive visit I've had to that interesting city! The warmth and acceptance I met in all quarters was surprising. In all my contacts, it seemed that TEN ROMEO's successful FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT was well known. In fact, beyond the knowledge of the flight, there seemed to be an understanding of the unbelievably complicated red tape that had to be negotiated to bring it about. This perception gave me the status of a "miracle worker", - perhaps undeserved, but certainly the aura created was easy to work within. While my four days in June were completely restricted, my November time was completely open. It was as if the whole city, through its warmth and interest, was attempting to erase the memory of the inhospitable treatment in June. Passage through Soviet Customs was accomplished without my bag or briefcase being cracked. Later, I mentioned to Soviet friends that my visa for the November trip arrived a month before my departure, and was told, "Dr. Harmon, that is as close to an official apology as you will ever receive from the Soviet Government!" One of my first contacts, after becoming settled in room 1711 at the Intourist Hotel, was Vladislav Trapeznikov, Journalist for NOVOSTI NEWS. In a telephone interview in June, he had asked me to do an educational article for him on my impressions of Soviet schools from my 1958 research through the 1983 UPDATE. What a sympathetic chord this struck! In the l950s I had been one of the more prolific educational writers in the States with some of my material even appearing in Europe. As an administrator there was little time for writing, but now ---- why not? Obviously, I had a carefully prepared manuscript with me for Vladislav, and that was why his contact was one of my first. Vladislav leafed through my manuscript with a practiced eye, and then returned to a specific point. It was that section where I had mentioned that Senator Leverett Saltonstall was my mentor for the 1958 Soviet research. (This was a natural link, since my father had served as Commissioner of Recreation for Massachusetts during Saltonstall's tenure as governor.) In my special report to the Senator I indicated that if we truly wanted "one world", we should immediately embark upon an exchange of teachers and students with the Soviet Union, and at the level of 100,000 exchangees per year. The Senator placed my report in the US Congressional Record. "You said, in l958, there should be exchange visitations between American and Soviet teachers and pupils at the level of 100,000 per year?" "Yes! Vladislav! For your people and my people to become properly acquainted would require a commitment of that level or more!" "And this can be found in the US Congressional Record????????" "Yes; Vladislav!" Why had he found this statement so unusual? Was it surprise that an American could have a commitment toward East/West friendship over such an extensive period of time? Or was it a misunderstanding of the mechanical functioning of our government structure? Perhaps he thought anything printed in the US Congressional Record became the law of our land in due course. At any rate, we completed our visit and I left. The next few days were filled with exciting events. Vladimir Posner was contacted by phone, and while he was scheduled to be out of town, arrangements were made for me to visit with his colleagues at Gostel Radio. Mayor Vladimir Promyslov was expecting me, and a warm reception was held in my honor at the City Hall, or Deputies Building. As expected, I was given many gifts to deliver to Mayor Paul Leonard of Dayton, Ohio. Contact with my Soviet Sport Pilot friends was warm and cordial, but brief. The following day they would be traveling to India for the annual meeting of the FAI where they would see General van Kann and Col. Brown. The record plaques were delivered to Aeroflot and I visited my friends at School #29, as well as Boarding School #38. It was a special pleasure to deliver, in person, the Beech-36 gold lapel pin to Ambassador Hartman just before his departure for Geneva. As a matter of fact, seventeen of those beautiful gifts from President Jim Walsh, of Beech Aircraft Corporation, were delivered in Moscow before my departure. Close contact was maintained with Vladislav Trapeznikov during my stay in Moscow, and at one time during a telephone conversation he said, "Millard, I've shared your educational article with Igor Tazabrin, editor of our Educational Gazette, here in Moscow. He would like to interview you. Could that be arranged?" And so it was. Igor was a handsome man of 61 years, and I liked him the moment I met him. He had a sparkle in his eye that declared a joy for living, and his wife was with him as interpreter. We spoke about education, but not for long. He, too, had heard about the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT, and seemed fascinated with the project. How long had it taken to plan? How long was I in flight over oceans? How long had I been flying? How large was my machine? How much fuel did I use? We had been visiting for nearly two hours when the question was raised as to how I had time to carry out such a time consuming project as the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT. I indicated I was retired, and thus had the time to do whatever I wanted. Igor seemed to bristle, and spoke with great animation. "Dr. Harmon! You are far too young and energetic to be a 'Pensioner'! What do you intend to do with your life from this point on?" "Igor - there are many things I want to do with my life, but one of my most important objectives is to continue to build bridges of friendship and understanding between my people and yours!" "That objective", he said with a satisfied smile, "is worthy of your energy and mine.'" Igor's article would appear before my departure from Moscow. The "slug" said "AMBASSADOR OF FRIENDSHIP", and the follow-on read, "Retired US Educator Trades Profession for Building Bridges of Friendship!" Word of my presence in Moscow seemed to spread, and on my third day in town I received a call from Andrew Sturua, of Moscow TV. He asked if I would be willing to be interviewed on TV, and I said, "Sure - it's happened in dozens of US cities, why not Moscow?" The time and place was set. I did some research and found that Andrew's father was a famous Soviet journalist. He was following in his footsteps, and was a Moscow TV personality with "TIME" the 9:00 p.m. daily news program. I met Andrew at 1:30 in front of the Intourist Hotel as planned. The weather was bad - cold, dark and snowing. I asked if he wasn't going to do the shot inside in the hotel lobby. "No way, Millard! An inside shot could be 'faked' anywhere. We will shoot you in front of the hotel symbol here on the sidewalk with the Kremlin skyline as a backdrop!" The amount of media exposure I received in Moscow was a surprise. Of the several in-depth conferences with Trapeznikov, how many times did my quotes end up in Novosti News? There were two hours or more of transcriptions in Gostel Radio studios, and the TV interview would be seen by all of Moscow. The Educational Gazette would not only carry the extensive interview, but also a picture I had provided of TEN ROMEO on the ramp at SHEREMETYEVO as I stood with Vladislav, my navigator. AND, I had gained great respect for Soviet "investigative reporting" --- in two instances when I had made references to comments from Soviet friends about a subject under discussion I was to learn later that those individuals had been contacted to verify what I had said. (It was later when I was talking with Igor's wife, Lillian, by phone - "We have contacted your friend, Mikhail Lyubimov, of Aeroflot, to see what he might have to say about the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT! You know - that man loves you as a brother!" What could I say, other than, "Lillian, - that warm feeling of friendship is a two-way street! Mikhail is one of my dearest Moscow friends!") How much of a risk had I taken in being completely open to the Moscow media? Probably some - there is always risk when important ideas are at stake. But to not risk is to guarantee the status quo with no progress possible. For 27 years my contact within the Soviet Union had given me friends who were honorable and whom I trusted. I would build upon that experience of trust. And so -- when my friends at Gostel Radio, or Trapeznikov, would ask for permission to quote me, my response was the same:
Today I continue to feel the risk was minimal. The educational article I have seen and it is positive. (A few minor cultural twists - I indicated the war was over before I completed my pilot training, and thus I did not have combat experience. This appeared as, "Harmon wanted to go to the front, but he was too young and they wouldn't let him".) The Gostel Radio tapes will be o.k., and the TV interview should be fine. In time, my friends at the US Embassy will have a handle on the settings in which my comments have been placed, as well as a good view of any Novosti News quotes that might have appeared. However - the greatest protection my November Moscow experience carries is the phenomenal events of Geneva. Gorbachev and Reagan smiled at one another, shook hands, and discussed serious matters without the vitriolic polemics so prevalent before that personal meeting. The official political view of America by the Soviets is warmer today than it has been for some time. I extended my stay in Moscow to have a chance to be exposed to the results of the Summit. I sat before a TV set with friends. I saw Gorbachev stride briskly down the steps from his aircraft. He was dynamic, alert, self-confident. I heard him say, "I am satisfied with the results of these talks at this stage. A better understanding has been developed - there can now be further progress. And so ---- the miracle was complete. There was hope. The Soviet leader had returned with positive comments about an encounter with leaders who had been painted by TASS and PRAVDA as absolutely incorrigible. True - with time there would be slippage, and nasty words would again be used. But never again would the Soviet citizenry be exposed to as black a portrait of American leadership as had occurred just prior to the Summit. -------------- What an impossible task I have set for myself - to attempt to share with you the excitement, pleasure and accomplishment of two weeks in Moscow in eight short pages. But - I've found a way to extend my story with you if you have time for a phone call. (At least it might work that way!) Before leaving for Moscow I spoke with an editor of my local newspaper, the KNICKERBOCKER NEWS and asked if they might be interested in a series on my experiences in Moscow. They said they'd be happy to look at something upon my return. Bill Dowd, managing editor of the News, reviewed my material and said, "Millard, you write well, and you present a perspective we seldom see. We will run your series." Soooooooooo - starting on Monday, December 23rd, my series entitled, "Moscow Diary" will begin. At the same time the material will be electronically transmitted to New York City and thus available to the other dozen or so major HEARST newspapers through the "HEARST NEWS & FEATURE SERVICE". In addition, I have made an interesting arrangement with our local ASSOCIATED PRESS office. (Remember? AP was the outfit that made me into an international conversation piece back on June 21st!) If you call the editor of your local paper and he is willing to send me a MAILGRAM indicating his interest in using MOSCOW DIARY and covering the $5.00 per transmission (for a total of $25.00), as soon as I receive 20 commitments AP will move the series to the designated papers through their "AP DATA FEATURE SERVICES" in New York City. AP has some 1300 outlets in the States and I think this process is something your local editor will be familiar with. Don't have your editor contact FEATURE SERVICES directly - there has to be 20 commitments to me before AP is willing to be involved. ------------ A small point you might find of interest. As the international mood seemed to swing positive, I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice to give a direct report to my friends and neighbors in Albany through a TV telephone contact the evening of the Summit conclusion." Telephoning the States from Moscow is complicated for reasons I don't have time to explain. However, I called Ruth, explained what I would like to try, and thought everything was in place. My first contact with Albany was made at 6:20 p.m. - perfect for the "on air" message. Within three seconds the contact was broken. (I think when the phone was answered and the operator said, "This is Moscow calling", whoever answered thought it was a joke and hung up.) By the time I was able to remake the contact, air time was over, and I wasn't on a phone that could take a recording --. It seemed like no one knew of my desire to offer a direct report on Gorbachev's return from Geneva and his comments on Soviet TV. So - four telephone calls and $200.00 spent without much to show for it! Oh, well some you win and some you lose. I was more successful in my contact with WBZ in Boston and had a nice chat with Larry Glick on the air. ----------- While in Moscow, preliminary arrangements were made for the PBS documentary film "THE FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT" to be aired on Soviet TV. It is my expectation to return to Moscow in the spring to work out final arrangements on the film's use. Until the film is complete and shown on the PBS network, my reports to you will continue to fly under the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT designation. It is my understanding that thought is being given to the film being available to all 260+ PBS stations. I'll keep you posted on dates. The evolution of that Channel 17 film has taken an interesting twist. Perhaps due to the historical timing of that flight within the panorama of world event an administrative decision has been made to increase the depth and perception of the documentary. To bring this about, additional filming will be done. At present, the fifteen hours of film shot is filled with my enthusiasm for the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT. Now, on-camera comments will be filmed with other people commenting upon how this flight has contributed in a major way to improved relationships between our two countries. General van Kann, Col. Brown and the Soviet Sport Pilots should have some interesting comments. Mayor Promyslov and Mayor Leonard, Ron Wine of the Aviation Hall of Fame, and members of Aeroflot, Ambassador Dobrynin and the Honorable Sam Stratton ------ these are some of those being considered for this new film phase. To provide this increased documentary depth may require that Steve and I make a quick trip to Moscow in February, --- or it may be possible to arrange with one of the Moscow resident US cameramen to do the filming by long-range direction from Steve. It will be interesting to see how this works out. ----------- A few points of interest to share with you:
------------ Two final comments on this report, and they both deal with the November trip to Moscow. Some of you know that I have a friend with SEARS. He and I have discussed from several perspectives the possibility of making SEARS products - particularly women's clothing - available to the 500 Intourist interpreters in Moscow. The women are beautiful and might be selected on the basis of their attractiveness, except that their language skills are top-flight as well. It is the official policy of Intourist that their personnel must appear well groomed and in fashion by the western standards of those they serve. On each of my recent trips to Moscow I have taken two SEARS catalogues with me. Last month I had scheduled a meeting with Valery Zima, who heads up the USA section of Intourist. As we sat talking I mentioned how attractive his people appeared, but asked if it might not be easier for them if a SEARS catalogue operation might be available to them. The value of such a limited step - from SEARS' viewpoint - was discussed, but the problem of "hard currency" seemed insurmountable. In response, I suggested that if this was the problem, why not place the SEARS operation in the "hard currency" seemed insurmountable. In response, I suggested that if this was the problem, why not place the SEARS operation in the "hard currency" BERIOSKAS? His eyes sparkled, and he indicated such a possibility would be a live option. The interest and sparkle he transmitted indicated to me he knew how to arrange for his girls to obtain SEARS clothing if such a plan were put in place. I asked him how such an arrangement might be brought about. He gave me a name he had written on a card. "Contact this man. But - Dr. Harmon - anyone who has brought about a miracle such as the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT is well enough connected politically to easily plan for SEARS to be located in our BERIOSKAS!" It was my last evening in Moscow, and I had returned to my room. I looked seventeen floors below me to Gorky Street, and just to the right was Red Square. I scanned the Moscow horizon, and saw the millions of beautiful lights stretched out before me as far as I could see. Moscow was a great city - a city I enjoyed. What an exciting two weeks it had been! Everything I had wanted to do had been accomplished. I was filled with deep satisfaction as I thought back on the warmth of this visit - the new friends at Gostel Radio, Mikhail claiming me as his "brother", my dear friend, Director Inna, of School #29 who said as I was leaving her office, "Dr. Harmon, when you return to your lovely wife, you must tell her that there are two Russian ladies in Moscow who admire her pilot husband and think he is very handsome!", and the hundreds of delightful Soviet school children who I now claim as friends. In the quietness of that moment, I thought, "These dear friends of mine are targeted by US missiles." And quickly my thoughts moved to Churchill's dynamic comment many years ago for the need of the US shield, and the fact that my lovely wife, children, neighbors, fellow church members in Delmar and Block Island - in short, all those whom I love and hold dear at home - are targeted by Soviet missiles. My circle of Soviet friends had grown over a span of 27 years, and most particularly within the last two years. I had experienced acquaintances becoming friends, and the friendships deepening to an agape that held no respect for political boundaries. With dear friends on the East side of the Iron Curtain, one should never think casually about East/West political differences. This was a more dangerous world than when Churchill made his pronouncement. But - the "miracle" of Geneva was that "a better understanding had been developed". There would be time to slacken the danger - not by "unilateral" action with its inherent dangers, but through careful personal negotiations by two great leaders. The Soviet Union was maturing. With increased maturity comes a higher level of self confidence, and, hopefully, less insecurity and fear. The road ahead will be difficult, but more manageable because two leaders met, shook hands, and smiled for all the world to see. THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE! PEACE, and WARMEST SEASONS GREETINGS! --- 30 ---
|