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, Chairman of The GTD Group, is an award-winning author, columnist, film and music producer, radio talk show host and 2009 Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee. Stansberry has written five energy-related books. He has been active in the oil and gas industry for over 44 years, having served as CEO/President of Moore-Stansberry, Inc., and The Oklahoma Royalty Company. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma, Chairman 2016-2017 of the Gaylord-Pickens Museum/Oklahoma Hall of Fame Board of Directors, Lifetime Trustee of Oklahoma Christian University, and Board Emeritus of the Oklahoma Governor’s International Team. He has served on several public and private boards.
- 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/
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