TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER
Report 56
October 12, 1993
Dear Friends:
Once again fate dealt me an unexpected ringside seat for history making events in Moscow. I arrived in Moscow on October 1st and remained there through the 5th. The balance of my time was spent in Tallinn.
My primary reason for being in Moscow was to expedite the issue of US visas at the US Embassy for a Russian family of three we have been helping for the past year. The details of this "rescue" must wait for another time, since tight security has been imposed on all efforts relating to this matter because of risks involved. Once the family is safely out, well share the whole story of this exciting, complicated, and dangerous mission.
By the time I left Moscow, relative calm had returned to that troubled city. However, the long-term prognosis for Russia remains in doubt. Russians remind me that the only political structure in that vast country is the Communist Party controlled by apparatchiki. Will they simply change their name? Will the new Parliament be different from the one just disbanded? Many say "no". Will President Yeltsin prevail in June elections? The lack of progress toward a "better life" under Yeltsin's leadership may prevent his return to office without extended time to work with the new Parliament under the new Constitution. The days ahead will be interesting!
MOSCOW - OCTOBER 1st
I arrived in Moscow the morning of October 1st, went directly to Elena Ivanova's office at IZVESTIA which serves as my Moscow operational headquarters, and set plans for the day.
Obtaining US visas for the Russian family of three would not be easy. The basis for the family's visit to America is an invitation from an Orthodox church in Ballston Spa, New York. Plans had been made for the Russian Patriarch's North American representative, Father Daniel, an American, to walk the visa request through the US Embassy. Father Daniel, unfortunately, was with the Patriarch on a trip to America, and thus the requests had not been hand carried through the Embassy visa process.
Before leaving the States I knew the visas had been denied, so I requested a review of the denial, suggesting when I would be in Moscow to provide additional information that had a bearing on the need for the visas.
I arrived at the Embassy at 2:00 p.m., and after much talking by phone from the hallway, was allowed into a public reception area for a chance to speak with a consular officer.
The best I could do was arrange a visa for only the mother of the family. The basis for the denial of the other two was Regulation 214-B which assumes - under the pressure of so many unprecedented political asylum requests - that any family leaving Russia will not return.
I was told that the visa that was issued would have been denied had I not made a personal appearance.
Having met a stone wall regarding the visas denied, I requested a secure room for a fuller presentation of information relating to the pressing need for the two additional visas. To have to discuss sensitive information within earshot of several Russian nationals in the general area was distressing.
No secure location was offered. Leaving the Embassy with only one visa, I was determined before leaving Moscow to find a secure Embassy area where full disclosure on background relating to my visa efforts could be revealed without risk.
A VISIT WITH OLGA
Many will remember Olga Motorina, who came to the States to display Russian art work at the Pat Whipp Art Gallery in Dayton in 1990.
A number of you became acquainted with Olga and know that she has two delightful daughters. With the difficult times in Moscow many have expressed concern for Olga and her family and have asked how to be helpful to that delightful Moscow trio. Your checks are appreciated; some money has gone for Olga's FINNAIR ticket to the States.
I scheduled a meeting with Olga on Sunday, October 3rd, to work out arrangements for her trip to the States for a new art show.
As my driver and I left the center of the city, we crossed over the bridge in front of the White House, not knowing that fighting would break out in a few minutes. I almost stopped on the bridge for a photo, but decided the situation was too tense for that.
The planning meeting with Olga went well, but returning to the center of town was difficult - many roads were blocked due to the fighting.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4th
Cannon and small-arms fire was sporadic throughout the night. The next morning I decided to join the CNN crew on the roof of an apartment building a mile from the White House. With the CNN telescopic lenses, you at home had the best seat in town to view the action!
Departing from the CNN location, I went to the street at the edge of the bridge for TV interviews with German camera crews, and a chance to speak with Russian soldiers.
The CNN location was the best in town. A CNN van was bullet-riddled.
The defenders of democracy, once again.
Just after shaking hands with the soldier above, a sniper round let loose to our left. Everyone ducked, but only the single round was fired.
My driver and I left the bridge area to attempt to reach the Embassy. I knew it was closed, but there is always an OD on duty, and I needed to provide full disclosure on my need for the remaining two visas.
With my flight uniform and American passport, I talked my way through several checkpoints until we were not far from the US Embassy.
As I got closer I saw a string of police, shoulder to shoulder across the full width of the street. My intent was to pass this police line as I had the others, but there was an unusual surprise waiting for me.
Within 100 yards of the police line, two incendiary shells were fired just over our heads. That got our attention very quickly. My driver threw the car into reverse, and within 20 feet we were going 40 mph BACKWARDS.
We decided to call it a day!!!
The next morning I went to the Embassy, spoke with the OD who had me speak with the Security Director. In a secure location I gave full background on the visa need.
Tuesday Morning a security check for snipers was still in process.
The White House - most beautiful building in Moscow, but not now!
Reaching Russian friends was hard in the post-fighting disruption, but I did contact Andrew Sturua, a Moscow TV news reporter. He lost two of his staff in the TV Tower fighting and was lucky to have survived.
I left Moscow with a heavy heart -- painful memories of conflict, and only one visa.
TALLINN CONTACTS
Time in Tallinn was short, but it was good to see friends.
As Estonia becomes Westernized, there are rising expectations which feed a growing dissatisfaction with the cramped conditions which are standard in most households.
Rita Kesa has been sharing her mother-in-law's kitchen for 14 years. Lidia Zezulina is part of a family of five with only 29 square meters of living space. It will take a long time for building to catch up with need. It is hard to tell how many families will be broken through dissatisfaction before general relief is available!
The Infectious Disease Center of Tallinn continues to need medicines, and efforts to provide them are ongoing. Our contact there is Dr. Natalie Zvereva. We are close to a breakthrough on this one. The first priority for Natalie will be 20,000 units of mumps vaccine.
Dr. Natalie, whose work needs Western assistance.
Another Tallinn friend, a retired decorated, British combat pilot, lost a colleague in Moscow to a "Mafia Contract" while I was there. (Bob continues to warn me of the increased danger in Moscow, and suggests my trips there be halted.)
It's been over three years since receiving the suggestion from the Moscow "Think Tank" (Institute for the USA and Canada) that I serve as a mediator between Moscow and Tallinn. Such work has decreased with the elections of new leaders. However, I continue to press for action in a few obvious areas. The need for military housing in Moscow for Russian Officers billeted in Estonia is periodically called to the attention of our Washington leaders. This "quick and easy" solution to risky confrontation in Estonia seems to fall on deaf ears.
President Yeltsin continues to press on the sensitive issue of Estonian discrimination against ethnic Russians. In my estimation, when viewed objectively from both sides, this should be a non-issue. Still, now might be an appropriate time for a small step toward reconciliation. Page five addresses this matter.
A NEW FRIEND IS FOUND!
I was delighted when the Honorable James N. Inhofe called me recently and introduced me by phone to Mark Rollins, President of CHRIST FOR HUMANITY. (Thanks, Jim!)
I'm sure you've recently read of Jim's good work in Congress, but you will also recall my partnership with him on his commemorative flight through Russia honoring Wiley Post.
Mark has shipped 300,000 pounds of needed medicines to St. Petersburg. Page eight represents mediation efforts for Mark. He supports our medicine concern in Tallinn.
WELCOME, GARMIN!
TEN ROMEO's panel now has a GARMIN 100 AVD with worldwide data base and eight-hour battery. Good protection if an alternator fails during the excitement ahead! (Thanks Tim!)
---------------
Harmon Associates
34 Elsmere Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054
(518) 439-7166 FAX (518) 475-0434
October 12, 1993
The Honorable Peter Ello
Citizenship Office - Ministry of the Interior
Tallinn, Estonia
Dear Peter:
I appreciated speaking with you last week while I was in Tallinn.
It is disappointing for Moscow to stress those inappropriate claims of "Ethnic Discrimination" by your government against Russians living on your soil. Now might be the right time for a conciliatory step toward Moscow on this matter.
Why not appoint an additional Estonian "Ethnic Russian" to your CITIZENSHIP COMMITTEE? This should be accompanied by as heavy a press and media thrust as you can generate. Journalist Leonid Levetski is a good man, continues to write for IZVESTIA, and I'll ask him to make a positive story out of the appointment. Imbi Hepner could see that the BALTIC INDEPENDENT covers the appointment with an impressive story. The foreign press could be activated.
Now is an appropriate time to make a gesture toward President Yeltsin. The Russian military has increased stature because of their recent stand against Parliament. Estonia could benefit by the simple step suggested above.
Thank you for your time on the phone. If there had been more time, I would have come to your office to discuss this suggestion.
Warmest regards!
Respectfully,
Millard Harmon
cc: The Honorable Jyri Ruus, Minister of
Internal Affairs
The Honorable Leonard Meri, President
of Estonia
The Honorable Mart Laar, Prime
Minister
Others as Appropriate
---------------
Harmon Associates
34 Elsmere Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054
(518) 439-7166 FAX (518) 475-0434
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
TALLINN INFECTIOUS DISEASE CENTER
Last spring Millard Harmon met Natalie Zvereva, M.D. of the Infectious Disease Center in Tallinn on the night train from Moscow to Tallinn.
While it was not known at this initial meeting, later contact revealed that Dr. Zvereva was carrying contraband ("Eaton Blocks" or "Rockillit") across the Estonian/Russian border as a requirement of her employment.
Dr. Zvereva took great risk in fulfilling her official assignment. Estonian customs officials would be delighted to catch ethnic Russians in any illegal activity; Russian customs personnel consider ethnic Russians living in Estonia as traitors. Thus, Dr. Zvereva faced a double risk on her trips.
Harmon requested a moratorium be placed on the trips for illegal contraband until a way could be found through the West to provide the pesticides and medicines needed. Contraband runs have been temporarily suspended.
Ambassador Robert C. Frasure has made remarkable progress in helping our Estonian friends. In discussing the Disease Center's need and options for fulfilling that need, a number of possibilities were considered. The Disease Center's requirements were far smaller than normally served by the American Red Cross, but because of Harmon's previous work with President Elizabeth Dole, it might "technically" be possible to serve the Tallinn request if arrangements were made for the delivery to be made to Ambassador Frasure at the US Embassy in Tallinn. Bob was willing to move the medicines, once received, to Dr. Zvereva. This agreement was worked out with Ambassador Frasure to avoid the normal protocol complications which require American Red Cross aid to be channeled through Dr. Ursel Vagur, President of the Estonian Red Cross.
In 1991 the "Methodist Summer Camp for Children" had been canceled because of lack of food. Investigation revealed that the Estonian Red Cross was not interested in becoming involved in such a small project, so Dr. Harmon saved the summer camp operation by personally bringing in 750 pounds of food on three separate trips to Tallinn. This experience suggested an official Red Cross link as inappropriate, but a touch of compassion might allow a small delivery to the US Embassy by the American Red Cross.
It was hoped that the special arrangement through the US Embassy might allow the American Red Cross to quietly relieve a specific, small need through their computerized medicine lists provided by pharmaceutical companies for donations. It appears that our request to ARC did not reach President Dole, who is a woman of great compassion. A response came from the ARC Director of International Operations who quoted procedures which would have to be met for ARC help, but these were already understood. There was also the reference that "The ARC could not be party to moving contraband as a part of any rescue operation." Harmon thought that the West probably had new legal chemicals to handle what Dr. Natalie carried as contraband.
Avenues continue to be researched for help in meeting the Tallinn need.
----------------
Harmon Associates
34 Elsmere Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054
(518) 439-7166 FAX (518) 475-0434
MEMORANDUM
October 7, 1993
To: President John Battle, TBC Ltd.
Tallinn, Estonia
From: Mil Harmon
Thank you, John -----,
for allowing me to break into your busy schedule immediately upon my return to Tallinn from Moscow.
As you know, my call was to request permission to recommend you to President Yeltsin for restoring the White House to its former beauty before the fighting. You have experience in moving building materials into the former USSR, your restorations in Tallinn's Old City are widely acclaimed, and you bring your American know-how into focus, tempered with years of experience, in a land that needs help in construction procedures.
Having been in "the thick of it" in Moscow during the fighting, I was most unhappy with the heavy destruction of the beautiful White House. However, I understand your reluctance to become involved in Moscow, and will not call your skills to the attention of President Yeltsin. Tallinn is most fortunate in being the focus of your expertise!
Any sadness I might have harbored by your lack of interest in the White House restoration was eliminated by the enthusiasm of your statement for "helping build churches in Tallinn"!
You must have learned from Tonu that my request to the Baptist Union of America on his behalf was successful in establishing US financial support for the Baptist church which will be built as a memorial to his parents,
I'm also pleased to know that you are aware of Rev. Olav Parnamets' plans to build a Methodist church on land recently acquired for that purpose. Rev. Olav's congregation is the largest Methodist church in Continental Europe. They have needed a new structure since their building was destroyed in 1943. There are plans afoot to provide heavy financial support from United Methodists here in the States for the new worship center, so there should be adequate funds for what is needed.
Keep well, my friend! I'll see you on my next visit.
Cordially,
Millard Harmon
cc: The Honorable Tonu Karu
Rev. Olav Parnamets
---------------
Harmon Associates
34 Elsmere Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054
(518) 439-7166 FAX (518) 475-0434
MEMORANDUM
October 6, 1993
To: The Honorable Edward A. Nechaiev
MINISTER OF HEALTH FOR
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
From: Dr. Millard Harmon
Dear Minister Nechaiev:
October 6, 1993
I was in Moscow from October 1st through October 5th, and it was my intent to visit you personally. Events prevented that from happening.
American friends of mine are providing considerable "humanitarian" medical aid to your country in St. Petersburg. A minor problem has arisen, and it is my belief that you and/or your office staff could resolve their difficulty.
President Mark W. Rollins's HUMANITY corporation operates out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, but Mark has a representative in St. Petersburg named STEVE GREGG. Steve's telephone number is (812) 293-8884.
Steve was given a building by the St. Petersburg City City Council to house the hospital that will be established by American support and will use American doctors and dentists. As I understand it, your representative, Mr. Karukin, wants Steve to use another building.
Would it be possible for you to suggest to Mr. Karukin that he agree to the City Council's decision on the building assignment? It is important for the St. Petersburg Hospital to be operational as soon as possible.
And now, I must speak about the events of this last weekend.
I was impressed, Mr. Minister, by the quick response of your medical teams in serving the needs of the wounded. (I was on the bridge at the beginning, and later came under fire while attempting to reach the US Embassy.)
Your people are to be commended for their heroic action, even under gunfire, as they ministered to the injured in those several locations within your city where fighting occurred last weekend.
I'm certain world response for medical help to you has been spontaneous. However, I would suggest that you call Steve Gregg in St. Petersburg If there are medical supplies which are short. I'm certain that Gregg will respond immediately if what you need is in his on-hand stock.
President Rollins will be alerted so that medical supplies may be sent from the States if Steve does not have what you need.
Warmest regards, Mr. Minister. I hope to see you on my next visit to Moscow.
Respectfully,
Millard Harmon
cc: President Mark W. Rollins
Director Steve Gregg