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TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER Report 70 April 11, 2001 Dear Friends: THE CRISIS IS RESOLVED! President Bush and Secretary Powell did a masterful job! Many concerned Americans communicated with Beijing. Enclosed is my contribution. After writing the April 3 letter to President Jiang Zemin, I spent most of the night speaking by phone with the President's staff in Beijing. After using up "NiHao" and the rest of my limited Chinese, I found myself speaking with a woman who spoke impeccable English. She gave me several Beijing FAX numbers which I couldn't access. The next morning I contacted the Chinese Embassy in Washington, and was told my letter would be translated and sent to the President and Foreign Ministry in Beijing. More than one "channel" is helpful, so I asked two friends to develop "second channels". Past communications with heads of state have been interesting. My letter to President Bulganin in 1957 opened the door for educational research in the USSR. After President Castro received my letter in 1995, I immediately received Cuban sponsorship for TEN ROMEO's flight to Havana, a prerequisite for my two-year effort requesting a US Temporary Sojourn License to fly to Havana which was unsuccessful. Copies of current communications were shared with the US State Department. If the crisis had continued, I intended to FAX State asking if they would object to my flying to Hainan Island to become "acquainted with the Chinese aviation community".
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Harmon Associates MEMORANDUM April 3, 2001 To: His Excellency Jiang Zemin From: Professor Millard Harmon Dear Mr. President: I am a retired American educator and own a Beechcraft-36, a single engine aircraft registered as N7710R which we call TEN ROMEO. On June 18, 1985, I flew TEN ROMEO into Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on a FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT, opening Soviet skies to Western sport pilots. On March 31, 1997, I was over Cuba in TEN ROMEO when I experienced an oil leak that covered my aircraft windscreen with oil. I dialed 7700 into my transponder and radioed Cuban air controllers indicating I had an airborne emergency. I was immediately given approval to land on "ANY RUNWAY YOU CAN REACH!" At that moment all military and civilian airports were opened to me by the Cuban Communists to help me get on the ground safely. I may have more contact with Communist aviation communities than any private American, and have learned that those who love to fly share an international camaraderie that transcends politics, geography or distance. I am planning a WINGS OF FRIENDSHIP flight in TEN ROMEO from Washington to Beijing to become friends with the Chinese aviation community as I have done twice before with Communists. We know that a serious airborne incident occurred over the South China Sea two days ago, but it will take time to ferret out the blame for this misjudgment. Yes, the US pilot violated Chinese airspace in his attempt to place his damaged aircraft on the ground to save twenty-four souls. Your controllers and military personnel on the Lingshui airbase operated according to international rules of decency by not "flaming" the damaged American Navy EP-3E Aries II while on approach. Please follow the value judgment of your aviation community on Hainan Island and return those Americans you presently have in custody. This is an opportune time for the great nation of China to leave behind practices prevalent during Cold War days. The aviation community of Lingshui has given you an opportunity to join the nations of the world as a benevolent partner in protecting the lives of those who encounter airborne emergencies. The world awaits your proper response as a full partner in international flight concerns. Respectfully, Millard Harmon
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Harmon Associates MEMORANDUM April 7, 2001 To: His Excellency Jiang Zemin From: Millard Harmon Dear Mr. President: This morning's TV news carried pictures and information about your fighter pilot leading the crippled EP-3E Aries II aircraft to Hainan Island where he executed a low pass over the active runway at the Lingshui military airbase to alert his comrades that the American aircraft was following his instructions to land. This act was in the finest tradition of a member of a sovereign aviation community following the humanitarian precepts of international standards of concern for those undergoing an airborne emergency. This confirms my view in the letter to you of April 3. Today I will request that President Frank del Gandio, of the ISASI (International Society of Air Safety Investigators - the group that investigates aircraft crashes worldwide) issue their highest accommodation for humanitarian action to the Chinese pilot who saved that American aircraft and crew. For our world to become the safe, friendly community we all want requires that China and the United States become close, cooperative partners for the benefit of mankind. The action of your courageous fighter pilot last Sunday was a significant step down that long road that leads to a world dreamed of by all thinking people. Respectfully, Mil Harmon cc: Frank del Gandio, President, ISASI
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Harmon Associates MEMORANDUM April 8, 2001 To: Frank del Gandio From: Professor Millard Harmon Dear Frank: I had no idea we would have an occasion to be in touch again so soon following our communication of March 21. Enclosed are two letters I sent to His Excellency Jiang Zemin, President of China. The second one, dated April 7, indicates I would request that you issue the highest ISASI "accommodation for humanitarian action" to the Chinese fighter pilot who saved the aircraft and crew of the crippled EP-3E Aries II on April 1. There are a number of interesting possibilities on how such an accommodation might be presented to that young Chinese pilot. Your advisory board might send you to Beijing to make a personal delivery. You might, on the other hand, invite the pilot to your next annual ISASI meeting for the presentation. There are other options that might be appropriate. It is important to find ways to encourage China's leaders to adopt a more friendly, cooperative stance on difficult problems that normally face an emerging international leader in the community of nations. You have a golden opportunity to become a partner in an important step in China's metamorphosis into a less belligerent nation. Respectfully, Mil Harmon Enclosure |