In the fall of 1997, I was approached by a friend of mine, Vladimir, who asked if I could assist his native country the Czech Republic in getting into NATO. At the time, he told me the Czech Republic’s leaders needed to meet with key U.S. Senate leaders. The U.S. Senate would have to ratify the Czech Republic going in to NATO by two-thirds of the Senate votes in order to be considered.
Vladimir, a prominent Czech artist, and his family escaped from Czechoslovakia in October, 1981. The escape occurred three days before hearing a verdict from the Czech Communist regime.
The Russians invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968. Vladimir and his artists’ group painted posters about the invasion. He spent several months in jail along with probation. Vladimir was told that he could never practice art again. Part of the punishment for not joining the Communist party was that he could not get a job. However, about a year later he was able to get a job as a laborer.
Years later in 1981, the case was reopened. He was going to have to go to court and prove his innocence. There was no proof of guilt. The decision to escape was evident. In 1982, Vladimir and his family arrived in Oklahoma with only two suitcases and speaking no English. Vladimir and his family were welcomed to Oklahoma and to the U.S. with open arms. Families of Czech descent in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and other communities welcomed them. He began painting again.
Vladimir and I met for the first time in early 1997. I was so fond of his art that I bought a painting. He had talked to me several times about the Russian invasion, about his love for the U.S., and his love for the Czech Republic and its people.
Though I lived in Oklahoma, I had a small business location in Washington, D.C. in 1997. I reached out to several of my friends and contacts. I was able to arrange a meeting between the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic in November 1997.
In November 1997, there were only about 40 U.S. Senators in favor of the Czech Republic entering NATO meaning at least 27 Senators were needed for ratification. By spring of 1998, the necessary two-third votes were in place. By March 1999, the Czech Republic entered NATO.
I only played a small part, a meeting between two world leaders. Vladimir played a crucial part. He knew what the price of freedom was. He fought for it.
Vladimir was concerned about how Russia controlled Eastern Europe especially with the supply of natural gas. He hoped to see the day where that control would end, at least curtailed.
The U.S. Administration recently stated that “Europe will be a ‘massive’ buyer of LNG to diversify its energy supply. And we have plenty of it.” Natural gas will be a key player in the future of economic development in Europe and of its freedom.
Mark A. Stansberry, energy advisor and corporate development strategist, has been a columnist and contributor for Energies Media since 2014. He is the author of America Needs America’s Energy: Creating Together the People’s Energy Plan and the host of the National Energy Talk podcast. Stansberry served as U.S. Senator Bartlett’s intern/staff member from 1975-76, and led Senators Bellmon and Bartlett’s State Youth Conference in 1976. Stansberry can be contacted through his website.
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
