TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER
Report 49
February 15, 1991
Dear Friends:
Toward the end of December there seemed to be a concurrence of needs that pressed me toward a quick trip to the Soviet Union.
First, when I was in Moscow in October there was general concern about the possibility of a shortage of food during the winter. It might be possible to take food to my friends - not enough to make any real difference, but enough to provide a slight respite during a difficult time.
Second, I had recently determined that the best way I might help my friend, President Valery Shelkovnikov of the "ASSOCIATION FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION USSR" (AFSF-USSR), would be to improve his capability of communicating with the West. He needed a FAX machine as quickly as possible. Also, personal contact with Kou of the ESTONIAN AVIATION ASSOCIATION (EAA) would be helpful.
Third, in the fall I had informed Valery of the availability of seven 15-passenger aircraft, and had promised the maintenance records for him and his colleagues to review before considering purchase. Those records needed to be hand carried to Moscow.
TALLINN EXCITEMENT
My friends at FINNAIR allowed special arrangements for the food I carried to the USSR. Canned meat, sugar, Crisco, coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, dried fruit and some dehydrated camping meals provided an interesting variety.
I met first with President Kou of the EAA and delivered to him material from MACAIR, the Canadian ultra-light aircraft manufacturer with whom my EAA friends have asked me to serve as liaison. I was then officially inducted into EAA, and new assignments for my next visit to Tallinn were worked out with Kou.
President Kou and his able assistant Tina.
The next morning I had breakfast with Rev. Olav and his wife, as has become my practice. Olav is a valuable resource on the "social condition" of Tallinn.
We discussed the remarkably high tension present in this beautiful city which I have come to enjoy. Two men from Sweden, who were staying in Hotel Viru, had been murdered in the street since my arrival.
Following attention to high tension and danger in the streets, Olav spoke of the food shortage. "You know, Millard, we normally have an annual summer camp the first week in July for 200 children from our 16 Methodist churches in Estonia. This year, for the first time I can recall, we have cancelled this program because we see no way of having enough food for our children."
"Olav, please reschedule your Methodist Summer Camp program. I have friends in the States who told me before I left home that they wanted to help provide food for those who needed it in the Baltics! We will find a way to get food to you for your camp!"
Before leaving the States I had cabled President Bush asking for advice on how best to move food to individual Soviet friends. A timely response indicated, as expected, that protocols prevent our US Embassy in Moscow serving as a pickup point. I then spoke with President Phil of CARE and, with his help, intended to move food to Olav for the needy in his congregation. Summer camp might be a much better way to help - concise, limited and manageable.
We spent the next hour compiling the list of food required, as follows:
Canned Meat 200
lbs.
Rice
200 lbs.
Wheat Cereal 100 lbs.
Cheese
100 lbs.
Sugar
50 lbs.
Powdered Milk 50 lbs.
Butter
20 lbs.
Coffee
10 lbs.
Tea
5 lbs.
Total
735 lbs.
That task accomplished, we drove to the port and spoke with the director of customs to determine how best to make certain the food would reach the church once it arrived in Tallinn.
Director Lukasanas said, "Mark it very clearly 'HUMANITARIAN AID' and it will reach church authorities. Word has been received from Moscow to clear all such shipments quickly to consignee".
MOSCOW AND AFSF-USSR MEETING
Olga met the Tallinn/Moscow overnight train with the car she had scheduled for the next three days. Moscow time was tight, with visiting friends, shopping, and executing invitations at the US Embassy for the next series of Soviet guests to Delmar.
My meeting with Valery Shelkovnikov and his colleagues at Soviet Flight Safety headquarters was held at 2:00 pm on January 28th.
On a previous visit I had informed Valery of the availability of seven US light, twin-engine aircraft that could establish a Soviet commuter airline if hard currency were available for such an opportunity. I gave him maintenance records on the aircraft in question.
In October Valery had offered me five YAK-l8Ts with the hope that I could sell them to Americans. The sale of these Soviet aircraft for hard currency would finance more adequately the AFSF-USSR operation and provide increased flexibility which Valery needs. I indicated I had one purchaser, but was having difficulty in establishing a price fair to both sides. To conform the YAK18T to FAA standards, for example, would require reworking the panel - an expensive retrofit. I mentioned the price I had in mind, and he said he had others he was negotiating with who might offer more.
The Soviet YAK-18T.
We discussed the possibility of a barter arrangement with YAK-l8Ts covering a partial cost of one of the US commuter aircraft, and then turned to communication concerns.
John Enders gave Valery a FAX Machine, so Valery didn't need mine. I briefed him on my negotiations with SPRINT officials requesting a direct US FAX line to his office through their new Moscow operation. Valery's FAX line is not capable of communicating outside the USSR, so I will continue my negotiations for him with SPRINT.
In October Valery had asked for information on establishing a corporation in New York State. I handed him the packet I had brought with pertinent forms and instructions, suggesting that building the corporate charter and locating legal help for filing might take considerable time. He said it should take no more than two days, and pointed out how important it was for AFSF-USSR to have a US corporation created under "Bush" rules, rather than establish a "Gorbachev-ruled" company.
I indicated he might be disappointed in the value a US company could provide, and suggested he appoint one member of his staff to coordinate Soviet visa, housing, and Civil Air Board concerns for Western pilots.
Valery took time to share with me his grandiose plan. When a Western pilot contacts the AFSF US subsidiary expressing a desire to fly Soviet skies, he will be provided with a packet containing his intended route from, say, Helsinki to Moscow to Irkutsk to Nome, with a welcome letter from the director of each airport at which he intends to stop. There will be letters from Soviet Controllers in his packet, along with information on each city he will visit. "There will be no need for overworked Civil Air Board bureaucrats like Gennady who lost your flight plans."
As an American who has flown TEN ROMEO in Soviet skies four times (and that exercise does not become easier with practice), I did my best to press for some immediate relief of those coordination problems which have dulled the pleasure of most of my Soviet flights.
Valery does not intend, as I understand it, to assign staff to immediately address problems I have encountered. But - the future belongs to dreamers, and, with time, I'm sure he will have a finely-tuned, well-oiled machine to handle Western pilot/owner, non-corporate interests. In the meantime, others must now press for USSR sensibility.
As we relaxed a bit before my leaving, I expressed pleasure at the potential interest in the seven commuter planes under consideration by Valery and his colleagues. I reminded him that on every trip to Moscow I find new projects to undertake in support of my Soviet friends. I mentioned the stress of "sweating out" visas when time is short as on my three latest trips. A Soviet multiple reentry visa would simplify the process, and Valery said he would request one and it should reach me in ten days or so.
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF USA & CANADA
Deputy Director Sergey is a friend of many years, and I enjoy the Institute's academic atmosphere when I visit him. I was warmly welcomed into his office.
We had an in-depth discussion on the Middle East, and agreed on the importance of efforts to win the Peace after hostilities halt. Our discussion then turned to a second "hot spot" on our planet, the Baltics.
"Millard, what is needed in Estonia is a level-headed, neutral mediator to work through present problems. You have a wide circle of Tallinn and Moscow friends. And, with 32 years of Soviet contact you know the situation better than most. Why don't you offer your services as a mediator upon your return to Tallinn?"
And that is what I did!
RETURN TO TALLINN
Tank traps on approach to Estonian Parliament building in Tallinn.
Between my departure from Moscow and my meeting with the Honorable Raul Malk of the Estonian Supreme Council on February 1st, I didn't get much sleep as I planned my approach to Estonian leaders. An interesting happenstance provided me with two mediation tasks which I addressed immediately. My meeting with Malk, and the substance of the two mediation assignments are chronicled in the enclosed "SPECIAL REPORT" to Deputy Director Dr. Sergey Plekhanov.
With The Honorable Raul Malk.
I am prepared to commit three-to-ten days a month in Tallinn for the next 12 months if my efforts are needed in mediation. To move on this new Soviet thrust I must have a multiple reentry visa, and arrange a return to my partnership with FINNAIR. The extra time in the USSR should benefit my work with AFSF-USSR and EAA.
ATTENTION! - SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY
Those who would like to share with me in the excitement of providing food for 200 Estonian children in a Methodist Summer Camp experience could send a small check to: HARMON RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. Those sending ten dollars or more will have their names placed on the HONOR ROLL given to Rev. Olav when the food is delivered.
ERRATA
The Survey Card FAX number is wrong. HARMON ASSOC. FAX # is 518-475-0434.
----------------
Harmon Associates
34 Elsmere Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054
(518) 439-7166 FAX (518) 475-0434
SPECIAL REPORT
February 6, 1991
To: Dr. Sergey M. Plekhanov
Deputy Director
ACADEMY OF
SCIENCES OF THE USSR
Institute for the Study of the USA and Canada
From: Dr. Millard Harmon
Dear Dr. Plekhanov:
I was honored at the meeting in your office in Moscow on January 30, 1991, when you suggested that I should offer my services to the Estonian Supreme Council as an unbiased, but deeply concerned, mediator to address the present difficult times faced by Estonia and the other Baltic countries. Upon arrival in Tallinn, I requested a meeting with President Arnold Ruutel, but he was in Switzerland with President Gorbachev. With the President away, my meeting was arranged with The Honorable Raul Malk, Press Secretary of the Supreme Council, and was held at 2:00 p.m. on February 1st in President Ruutel's conference room. I had Ms. Margaret Orunuk with me as interpreter, but found Mr. Malk speaks English fluently.
This report carries the intent of what transpired at that meeting.
* * * * * * * * * *
MALK: Dr. Harmon, we are pleased that you and Ms. Orunuk have taken time to be here this afternoon. I regret that President Ruutel is out of town, but I'll be delighted to pass on to him upon his return whatever message you have. How may I help?
HARMON: Today represents my 38th trip within Soviet borders. This should indicate that I have many friends, not only in Tallinn, but also in Moscow.
Last Tuesday I met with Dr. Sergey Plekhanov, Deputy Director of the Moscow USA/Canada "Think Tank". Dr. Plekhanov has been a dear friend for many years. As we discussed the two major "hot spots" of today's world, the Persian Gulf and the Baltics, Dr. Plekhanov made an interesting suggestion!
"Millard, Estonia needs a cool, level-headed, neutral mediator to help work through present problems. We know you have a wide circle of both Estonian and Soviet friends whom you love. Furthermore, your interest in the Soviet Union spans 32 years from your first visit, so you understand Soviet thinking better than most Americans. Why don't you offer your services as a mediator when you return to Tallinn? If you meet with any success, your efforts might even spill over into both Latvia and Lithuania."
I checked with a number of Moscow friends who know of my "FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES" with TEN ROMEO and my intense efforts to build increased understanding between Americans and people within Soviet borders. I was pleased to find agreement that such an assignment was appropriate.
I'm here to explore ways that I might be helpful!
MALK: How would you like to help us?
HARMON: I have a four-point plan.
First, I would like to address your Parliament for ten minutes next Monday. However, I would not care to do this without clearing my message with President Ruutel. Since he is out of town, I'll share my message with you and ask that you pass it on to the President and Parliament at your convenience.
My primary thought would be to congratulate your leaders on their restraint and patience. You have walked a more temperate line than your two Baltic neighbors. This prudence gives the impression that you are more reasonable in your quest for a new relationship with Moscow.
Having said that, I would call your attention to the phenomenal opportunity which is now at your finger tips. It is difficult to imagine the organizational structure of the Soviet Union ten years from now. Perhaps it will be the United States of the Socialist Republic. Whatever it is, you in Estonia stand on the threshold of opportunity in forging this new structure. With careful, intelligent, hard-headed attention to this matter, you and your people can write history in the weeks and months ahead.
And - President Gorbachev has suggested in recent weeks that there may be merit in returning to the "Lenin Concept" in the new structure of the USSR. This possibility leaves the door open a crack for the new Soviet structure to allow a special accommodation to the Baltic States. That possibility needs to be explored in depth.
The Baltic States want more contact, more commerce, more relationships with the West, and this will come. But geographically, Estonia shares a border with the USSR. In the long term this means there will always be a close link with your Soviet neighbors - which may be forged to the mutual advantage of both Estonia and the USSR.
Second, if conditions are approaching the "flash point" militarily here, I would like to speak with General Poder, the Soviet military commander in this area. Three years ago I introduced General Mikbail Moiseyev to hundreds of Americans through my NEWSLETTER. General Moiseyev is, by his own account, a modern military man. He is an honest man, and, in my estimation, a man who gains no joy when his troops shoot unarmed Soviet citizens. General Moiseyev has a picture of my granddaughter Rebecca. The General and I - in fact, all reasonable men and women - are working very hard for a safer world for our grandchildren.
We in America have experienced the tragedy of young recruits faced with an angry, stone-throwing, spitting mob of unarmed civilians. In such cases, fear can become the mother of unreasonable violence. We learned this at Kent State. Recent action in Riga may have had a similar scenario.
I am at a disadvantage in that I've been in your country two weeks and do not know how fast Western action may be occurring on the Baltic situation. If sanctions are under consideration against the Soviet Union because of recent Lithuanian action, I'm prepared to contact President Bush through Ambassador Matlock requesting that any sanction action be held in abeyance for ten days while we attempt to defuse the military action here in the Baltics with the Black Berets being withdrawn. Last week the situation here in Tallinn was tense. We must move quickly to forestall further bloodshed.
Third, with your help I would like to locate and speak with leaders of the Salvation Committee. I understand this group operates as a shadow with their leadership hidden. They seem to have reservations about the new Estonian political direction. I'd like to discuss these matters with them.
I believe I understand other concerns they may have. If there is an adjustment between Tallinn and Moscow, the Salvation group think they may be forced to return to the Soviet Union. The truth is, Estonians are practical and reasonable and will probably not invite the Soviets presently here to leave. The Soviets who have come to your area are above average in intellect, and came here because they knew your standard of living was attractive. They took the risk to move to your area for the opportunities available. This happened in my country in 1850 when we had a large influx of Europeans coming to American shores for increased opportunity. Besides, given time there will be a mutual advantage to both Estonians and Soviets presently living here since the gene pool will be enhanced on both sides.
The experience my country has had as a melting pot gives me a viewpoint that I might be able to share with the Salvation group. There surely is mutual ground that could be discovered and explored.
Fourth, I would like to speak with Mr. Lebedev. As leader of the opposition in your Assembly, it might be possible to explore commonalities that might be built upon.
MALK: That's a comprehensive list of efforts that you've carved' out for attention. Let's address the Soviet military concern first. Just yesterday a number of troops have been withdrawn from the Baltics, so it appears that the "flash point" which you have referred to represents less of a threat than we all thought last week. Speaking with the Soviet military may not be critical now.
What is your time frame?
HARMON: I think my proposal must be considered here by you and your colleagues. It would be inappropriate for me to move immediately on these important contacts until you have had a chance to consider where my efforts would be best leveraged to be helpful.
I'm scheduled to depart for the USA on Monday, February 4th. I should probably make that departure.
MALK: Would it be possible for you to return later this month? It might be helpful for you to speak with the Salvation group before our referendum of March 3rd.
HARMON: I am expecting a Soviet multiple reentry visa within the next two weeks. Once that is in my hands, I could be back in Tallinn within 24 hours. If my visa arrives, I could return later this month to be helpful.
Between now and my departure Monday, there are two small matters of mediation which I will address. Hopefully, these two items will give me a start in my work with you and your colleagues to develop a new approach toward calming the growing unrest here in the Baltics.
As I work with you, Raul, keep in mind that I have no "hidden agenda" in my efforts to be helpful to you and your colleagues. My motivation, however, is powerful. My heart is full of love for the many friends I have here in Tallinn, and the potential thought of my friends blood flowing in your streets is motivation to provide all the time, effort, and resources at my disposal to be helpful. World attention is focused upon the Gulf where the UN Coalition is forging a new way to deal with unbridled aggression. A secondary focus of world attention is here in the Baltics. The problems here are quite different, but the future of our world is also tied to events here and how well we are able to manage this difficult situation.
MALK: Dr. Harmon, I'm pleased to know of your desire to be helpful. Please let me know when your multiple visa reaches you in the USA so that it will be possible to contact you for work with us later this month.
In the meantime, here are a number of items that you will find interesting. You should find time to study these before our next meeting. It will help you understand our thinking.
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A few photographs were taken of MALK and HARMON, and Harmon and Orunuk returned to Hotel Viru by transportation provided by the Assembly.
* * * * * * * * *
Before departing Tallinn the first mediation task was completed. It dealt with a misunderstanding regarding treatment of Izvestia journalist Leonid Levetski in Tallinn. The communication block was broken, and, with information and dialogue I provided, I believe the matter is resolved.
The second mediation task dealt with Controller Training offered by the Swedish Civil Aviation to Baltic Aircraft Controllers. Lithuania and Latvia have accepted the training, but Estonian Minister of Transportation, Tut Vyahe, turned down the offer because it would benefit Tallinn controllers who are Soviet. I believe I made a good case for reconsideration of the matter, requesting reversal of his decision. A copy of my letter to the Honorable Tut Vyahe will reach you under separate cover. If the Estonian position remains firm, it will force the Swedish Civil Aviation leadership to move to Moscow to contract for Tallinn training arrangements. This would not be in the long-term interests of our Estonian colleagues. I think this mediation task will also be resolved satisfactorily.
Thank you, Sergey, for suggesting such an exciting project for me. My 32 years of effort in bridging the "Iron Curtain" may find its culmination in helping ease the tension in Estonia, and perhaps, even the other Baltic States. As you know, this is not my first thrust to Baltic friends. In retrospect, my 1990 Palm Sunday sermon in Tallinn entitled "Patience, Dear Friends, Patience!" may have been a first step to my present task.
Warmest regards, my friend!
Cordially,
Millard Harmon
cc: The Honorable Raul Malk
Others as Appropriate