TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER
Report 50
August 28, 1991
Dear Friends:
I have just returned from the USSR, having spent the fateful week including August 19th, 20th, and 21st in Tallinn, Estonia.
Being thrust into the center of a shattering world event cannot be planned, but having been there, I am happy to share with you events as I perceived them.
And yet, in the safety of my home and in close touch with family and friends, last week seems like a dream as I relive for you those historic hours when the world was led to the brink of disaster. We live in a safer world today because a Soviet Afghanistan veteran, an accountant, and a young architect paid the ultimate price while untold thousands of decent, ordinary Soviet citizens - who had tasted democracy - refused to return to the archaic past. Let us not allow the remarkably quick collapse of the coup to detract from the risk and commitment made by those who faced up to the forces of evil in Moscow, for that is where the victory lies.
TALLINN ARRIVAL
When I stepped aboard the FINNAIR flight in Helsinki for Tallinn, I learned of the coup. As we neared Tallinn we were placed in a holding pattern, and I expected a return to Helsinki with Soviet borders being closed. This was not the case and soon we were on the ground at Tallinn.
As soon as I checked into the Viru Hotel, I called one of my government friends, Raul. He was beside himself with concern. Tanks were on their way to Estonia. He, and most Estonians, expected to pay dearly in blood for their march toward independence during the previous four years. (On the bus from the airport to town there was a young woman with an adorable six-year-old daughter on her lap. I could see she was close to tears, and said, "Please don't worry - everything will be OK!" She turned away from me, and the tears flowed.)
I did my best to allay my friend's fears. I told him, "I will stand between you and your Supreme Council colleagues and any Soviet tanks that might arrive. No Soviet military unit will open fire on an unarmed American pilot with an American flag on his flight uniform bedecked with so many Soviet medals!"
My comments seemed to calm him for the moment.
Was my offer braggadocios??? Perhaps. Was my confidence the mark of an inflated pilot ego? Maybe. Was my suggestion naive? Not in my judgment, although I knew the coup could become bloody without respect for normal protocols.
In that first brief moment, I took a calculated, but limited, risk in contracting with my friend to place myself "in harm's way". However, my 32 years of contact with Soviets gave me absolute faith in the humanity of the 19-year-old tank crews. I was certain they would not shoot an unarmed American pilot. I also knew that the Soviet military could treat Soviet citizens, even Estonian/Soviet citizens, dastardly with impunity. But, to open fire on an unarmed, easily identified American pilot with an American flag on his jacket would escalate Soviet international problems exponentially. I knew that, and my friend knew that as well.
I have always worn the mantle of US citizenship loosely, but have had a deep and keenly proud feeling toward my country and what it stands for to me as well as countless millions around the world.
At 17 I volunteered for the Army Air Force in World War II.
I watched the Marshall Plan put Europe back on its feet. I lived in Europe in 1952-3, and heard Europeans, in their more expansive moments, identify the US as the greatest socialistic country in the world. Why? "Because only in America can the average worker own his own home, a car, and an electric stove that automatically cooks his dinner while he sits in church!"
I cheered, as a Reserve Army Air Force Officer facing call-up, when President Truman brought aggression to a halt in Korea.
I agreed with my friend, Dr. Tom Dooley, who said peaceful South Vietnamese should not be killed in their sleep for not "thinking properly" according to Viet Cong precepts. When "Dr. Tom" spoke with his friend President John Kennedy, I was delighted with the outcome - a US commitment to protect the gentle people of South Vietnam. From that proper original commitment we learned that the finest fighting machine in the world is ineffective when directed by political leaders rather than military specialists.
I supported President Reagan's military build-up in the early 1980s, and redoubled my efforts at building FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES with TEN ROMEO as Soviet military leaders became more reasonable with help from Gorbachev. And, the performance of our finely honed military machine in the Gulf this spring gave all governments, friend or foe, something to think about.
American citizenship is a precious commodity. Could it be used effectively to provide a limited amount of protection to those I loved in Tallinn?
PLANNING STRATEGY
The balance of Monday was spent contacting and speaking with Tallinn friends, and establishing high visibility on streets in the center of the city.
My hotel room became the nerve center of my personal communication network. I soon learned that Peeter Sookruus, Director General of the Estonian Broadcasting Company, was the best informed of my circle of friends. He indicated that 72 tanks and 40 personnel carriers were on the way to Estonia. Peeter's telephone network was remarkable, and with it we tracked Soviet military progress toward Tallinn closely.
To be effective in providing the protection promised, it would be necessary for me to anticipate the point of greatest risk and be there with my Supreme Council friends before any confrontation took place. The three most likely focal points of Soviet tanks would be the TV tower, Parliament Building, and Freedom Square where a rally was planned for 4:00 pm on Tuesday.
There was little sleep Monday night.
A FATEFUL DAY
Early Tuesday morning I checked with Peeter on the location of troops, and made my plans for the day.
I determined not to go to the TV tower which appeared to be the first tank objective. Better to protect people rather than real estate. The Parliament Building was relatively well protected by huge blocks of granite at approach ways. Dump trucks filled with gravel had been positioned behind the granite. The point of greatest risk would be the rally area in Freedom Square which was open, and thus vulnerable, to tanks from several directions.
Having made the determination that the rally in Freedom Square would be the point of greatest risk, I went to the Parliament Building to meet with leadership members.
Tank defense on an approach to the Estonian Parliament Building.
On the second floor of the Parliament Building I met with The Honorable Maryu Lauristin, Vice-Speaker of Parliament, and the committee that would address the rally. I repeated my intent to stand between my Estonian friends and Soviet tanks, and we went to Freedom Square.
The Square was PACKED with more than 20,000 people.
The rally at Freedom Square.
I positioned myself in front of the platform, prepared for any eventuality. It was a moving experience to face that enthusiastic throng of longsuffering Estonians who were demonstrating for freedom out of the depths of 51 years of occupation. Commitment to independence was expressed by the Supreme Council committee on the platform, interspersed with selections from a talented choir.
To everyone's relief, no tanks appeared, the crowd dispersed, and I returned to the Parliament Building where independence was voted Tuesday evening, August 20th.
On Wednesday I was invited to attend the Economic Conference, scheduled long before the coup, and addressed the group. (See the enclosed FAX.) By afternoon we learned the coup was over and the leaders arrested.
HEROES OF THE COUP
There are more "heroes" of this coup than the world will ever know, so it is risky to single out only a few. But I would be remiss if I didn't identify those of high visibility whom I know about personally.
PEETER SOOKRUUS
Peeter as Director General of the Estonian Broadcasting Company, maintained a
remarkable telephone network throughout Estonia. When Soviet tanks
appeared at the TV and radio tower he graciously turned the equipment over to
the military commander, and immediately switched to a secret transmitter to
continue his transmissions. In a review session with Peeter on the 23rd,
Peeter said, "The greatest risk in those critical hours at the height of
the coup was lack of information. For that reason, we transmitted not only
in Estonian, but Russian. Radio Tallinn was the only radio station
operating within Soviet borders not under control of Moscow, and thus became a
source for Western news!"
ESTONIAN HOUSEWIVES
A remarkable thing happened as Soviet tanks took over the Tallinn radio and TV
tower on the north side of the city. Housewives descended upon the tank
column with FOOD! Those tank crews had the first home-cooked meal since
they'd been conscripted into the Soviet military! (I'll bet you engineered
that, Peeter, with your telephone network????) They also brought small
transistorized radios so tank crews could hear RADIO TALLINN report on Western
news in Russian.
ARNOLD RUUTEL
President Ruutel has been a tireless and effective champion of democracy for
many years, with the coup the latest effort in his skillful march toward a
Democratic Estonia. He has done this with a special concern for
consequences. His negotiations with Moscow have served Estonians well.
President Arnold Ruutel, Champion of Democracy.
GEORGI ARBATOV
Dr. Arbatov is director of the USA & Canadian Institute, the Moscow
"Think Tank" that studies American policy in Moscow. He was not
in the USSR when the coup struck, but immediately set up a telephone link with
Western leaders from Helsinki, starting with President Bush, and provided advice
on how best to deal with the coup. "Don't give the coup renegades the
time of day, and throw your official lines of diplomatic protocol to Yeltsen,"
was his council. He then boarded a 20-foot power boat, and ran the Soviet
naval blockade to return home.
SERGEY PLAKHANOV
Dr. Plakhanov is well known to NEWSLETTER readers. He is Dr. Arbatov's
deputy director who gave me the assignment in January to search out Estonian
leadership and offer my services as a mediator/negotiator. He helped man
the ramparts of the "White House" during those most critical hours on
Tuesday. He, with 300,000 Moscow citizens, faced down the hard steel of
the Soviet military, and eventually won their gamble.
TEN HOURS IN MOSCOW
Vello and Rita saw me off on the overnight Tallinn/Moscow train Sunday, and as the train pulled out, Rita's instructions were, "Don't do anything stupid in Moscow, Mil! Remember, it's not a completely safe city yet!"
My car met me at the rail station in Moscow, and all planned contacts were made. The most exciting time, however, was the nearly three hours spent with Sergey Plekhanov who shared with me his experiences during the coup. We visited in his office, and then walked the hallowed ground where the loss of blood brought the coup to an end.
Sergey's experience was soul touching, and far too extensive to share in this short report. But, my speaking opportunities have expanded, and Sergey's experiences have become a cornerstone of my speaking and preaching circuit.
A pilgrimage with Sergey to hallowed ground where blood brought the coup to a halt.
EPILOGUE
Why did the coup fail? For many reasons, not the least of which is the basic quality of the average Soviet citizen. For 32 years during 41 trips I've accumulated a wide circle of Soviet friends. As you've read in these pages many times, they are decent, fine people. Conscripts are a cross section of a society, and I put my faith in the decency of that cross section. Soviet conscripts would not shoot unarmed countrymen who had tasted "openness" and "democracy
FAX information and radio news from the West were important. The coup seemed poorly planned and executed, and yet 250,000 handcuffs had been manufactured for transporting "targeted" Muscovites to Siberian exile.
FUTURE PLANS
I will depart for Tallinn and Moscow on October 10th to continue efforts to assist my friends.
Peeter has requested a satellite phone for protection should phone lines be cut in the future. My friends at the Estonian State Department of Aviation have asked my help in acquiring video tapes for flight training, which I have arranged, and they need help in registering with ICAO. I'll review Estonian manufacturing potential to see if they can construct aircraft parts for a friend.
I'll follow up on the availability of granite, probably carry a check to Moscow to consummate the purchase of the five YAK-l8Ts, and review plans for the Soviet/American student exchange program that I've helped implement with Albany City Schools.
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Sometimes I think back to the assignment given to me in January by Dr. Plekhanov to work with Estonian leaders "because you know both societies so well". Because of that, my work this spring had me well positioned to be helpful on that critical Monday morning of the 19th.
My work in Tallinn during the coup was exciting. I forged new friendships and deepened old ones. A "thank you" letter from Peeter was appreciated. President Ruutel's letter (see page 8) was handed to me just before departing for home.
Warmest regards to all!
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FAX to America, please --- 1-518-475-0434 August 22, 1991
Dearest Wife Ruth ---
I have just lived through perhaps the most interesting experience of my life, and now that it is over, it is important to tell you that I am safe. Let me tell you about it.
As I boarded the aircraft at Helsinki for Tallinn, I learned of the coup. At Tallinn we were put in a "holding pattern" for 20 minutes, and I wondered if we would be returned to Helsinki since I expected all borders to be closed. (The port was!)
As soon as I was on the ground, I called my friend at the Supreme Council. He was beside himself - expecting the arrival of Soviet tanks momentarily - and was deeply concerned about the possible bloodshed of Estonian leadership.
I did my best to calm his fears saying, "Don't worry, my friend! I will stand between you, President Ruutel and my Estonian friends and Soviet tanks! The Soviets will not shoot an unarmed American pilot who is considered by many in Moscow to be an adopted Soviet hero!"
This seemed to calm his concerns somewhat, but little sleep was had on Monday night. On Tuesday, I went to the Parliament Building, spoke with the committee leaders who were to address the rally in "Freedom Square", and went to the Square with the committee. I again promised to stand between the committee and Soviet tanks if they were to show up.
Freedom Square was packed with perhaps 20,000 or more concerned Estonians. There was extensive press coverage, and if this was shown at home, you will see me standing in front of the platform. Fortunately, no tanks arrived. I returned to the Parliament Building with the committee, and that evening Parliament voted for independence, as Lithuania did last year.
As I left the Parliament Building I was impressed with additional obstacles which had been placed for increased protection against tanks since I had passed that way earlier.
The next day I addressed a conference on economics scheduled before the crisis, and again indicated to the Estonian leadership present that I would stand between them and any Soviet tanks that might threaten them, but added two thoughts. First, I said, "Perhaps it is time to find out if a Soviet tank commander is as civilized in facing an unarmed American pilot as was that Chinese tank commander who faced an unarmed Chinese student in Tiananmen Square!". I then added, "I don't think I am taking much risk. I introduced General Moiseyev to a thousand Americans through my TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER when he was given increased leadership some years ago. In my estimation, General Moiseyev will not order his tanks, manned by 19-year-old kids, to harm unarmed civilians!" (I believed the deaths up to that point were accidents, and not of deliberate intent.)
Then turning to Estonian economics, I mentioned the work I was doing to help establish ESTAIR, the Estonian Airlines, and the Beechcraft specifications that had been delivered to the Estonian State Department of Aviation the day before. The "humanitarian aid" of 750 pounds of food provided to save the Children's Summer Camp just the month before was reported, and I shared with them my authorization on the present trip to locate and arrange for shipment of 1,000 tons of granite to the USA in exchange for "hard currency" which is much needed in Estonia at this time.
After my presentation, I considered going to the radio station where I have friends with whom there was constant communication by phone for status reports. In the final, final decision, I decided my role was not to protect property, such as the TV antenna, but my leadership friends.
By late afternoon the crisis had passed, and with the coup leaders arrested, all of us relaxed and got a good night's sleep.
I should also tell you that on Monday and Tuesday I was constantly on the phone to Moscow where there was great fear and much weeping. Although I had a ticket for the night train to Moscow on Wednesday, August 21st, I was told not to come since the center of the city was cordoned off, there was no transportation, tanks were everywhere, and there was a general feeling that the "White House" would be stormed, resulting in a great loss of life. (Word had it that two divisions were protecting Yeltsin and would engage the "hard line" troops facing them with great loss of life.) My Moscow trip has been rescheduled for Sunday.
This is all for now. It is important for me to tell you that I am safe, but I also wanted to tell you of my small part in this dangerous, but exciting, part of history. No one will know of my involvement, but please xerox this report and send it to the kids.
Love, Love, Love,
Mil
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