Open Letter to Lord Risby on a 'Marshall Plan' for Ukraine

Sir, I remind you of my communication in November 2007, regarding a 'Marshall Plan' for Ukraine . Azra Zakir at the British Ukrainian Society, subsequently informed me that it had been forwarded to yourself and John Grogan , chairman of the APPG for Ukraine.     

From: Jeff Mowatt [
Sent: 08 November 2007 11:01
To: Azra Zakir
Subject: RE: The British Ukrainian Society: Holodomor procession

 Dear Azra,
 

My attempts to communicate with Richard Spring were by means of two comments on his blog, one on the subject of Ukraine . Having registered and posted there I returned later to discover my login not recognised.

We are a very small organisation, who entered Ukraine as democracy activists prior to the Orange Revolution to raise awareness of human rights issues. My colleague Terry Hallman is permanently resident in Kharkiv. 

Terry took up the cause of street children an poverty while working 2 years on  a development proposal for the repatriated Tatars, challenging Ukrainians to act according to conscience in the Kyiv Post and Radio Free Europe.

Seeing through the Orange revolution we began to attempt to raise awareness of the looming energy crisis developing in Ukraine ,  by means of the editorial permission granted to us by Pora activists on their Maidan website. it was nearly a year later, that these issues became more widely known. 

At this time I began to attempt making contacts with those in our country who had interest in Ukraine 's democratic transition. Of these only Charles Tannock offered any response. We could not make contact with the APPG for Ukraine in any way, even though the secretary of this group was my own MP, Tom Cox.
 

Being aware of the geopolitical significance of Ukraine and its position as the conduit for gas supplies to Europe,  we were confident that  putting the issue of poverty and all the consequences which return to  us at home,  we could make a good case for helping Ukraine in a meaningful way.  As you will note, the crisis today in Georgia which preceded Ukraine with it's Rose Revolution, whether or not orchestrated by Russia is about poverty.

For this to be acceptable to both sides, by now the democratic forces had foundered, it was necessary to pitch our proposal to the potentially hostile incumbents in a way which offended neither party. This was achieved we learn through those who channeled the document to government by October 2006.

In spite of efforts, I have yet to find any UK based organisation willing to support  what  we do in Ukraine .  In fact, one of those you mention , the  British Council actually impedes us, being one of our business customers who have delayed payment for services for over a year.

I regret that I'm no longer in London and am unable to meet, since the financial pressure we find ourselves under made it necessary to seek more affordable accommodation.

Here FWIW, two articles from a supportive journal, describing the plan we delivered.

/http://en.for-ua.com/analytics/2007/08/06/121201.html

http://en.for-ua.com/analytics/2007/08/09/110003.html
 

Regards,

Jeff Mowatt

Let me first remind you of what General George Marshall saif of his original plan 60 years earlier:

"Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist. Such assistance, I am convinced, must not be on a piecemeal basis as various crises develop. Any assistance that this Government may render in the future should provide a cure rather than a mere palliative. Any government that is willing to assist in the task of recovery will find full co-operation I am sure, on the part of the United States Government. Any government which maneuvers to block the recovery of other countries cannot expect help from us. Furthermore, governments, political parties, or groups which seek to perpetuate human misery in order to profit therefrom politically or otherwise will encounter the opposition of the United States."

As you may read from the opening paragraphs it was published following government pledges to implement the main childcare recommendations:

"The most urgent component of the project below is relief and modern medical treatment for tens of thousands of Ukraine's children diagnosed as psychoneurologically handicapped. Many have died in state care, in primitive and inhumane conditions. Many are misdiagnosed, and end up in atrocious conditions. Following intense publicity and public discussion of the issue during final preparation of this project, Ukraine's government agreed on 5 March, 2007 to open more than 400 new treatment facilities for these children all over Ukraine. That commitment from Ukraine’s government was a major step forward, clearly demonstrating Ukraine’s willingness and ability to take initiative in childcare reform first and foremost. "

The "intense publicity described above was created by the Death Camps for Chidren article which focussed on the orphanage at Torez:

It was in the Sunday Times 5 years later that Torez became mainstream news:   

The Ukrainian maxim: “I saw nothing, my home is on the other side of the village” has no place in the modern world. If by our deliberate blindness, children are allowed to suffer such depravities then, by our inaction, we are all guilty.

Clearly the wilfully blind include John Grogan and yourself, who in disregarding me have most certainly perpetuated human misery. 

We know today that you, Lord Mandelson and Lord Macdonald are involved in another 'Marshall Plan' initiative with a price tag of 300 billion dollars

You have no plan. Bernard-Henri Levy informs us that the public are invited to submit their suggestions. How will this work I wonder, when those like you remove such suggestions from your website and disregard direct communications. Levy speaks of courage. Lest you delude yourself, let me assure you that it won't be found in your participation.

You have said “This is a noble cause and offers Ukraine some ray of humanity during its troubles. All of us involved in the new agency are dedicated to helping the country by improving law enforcement, introducing anti-corruption measures, improving health and trade in the country.”. Fine words from one who has sat comfortably with these problems until now. The words of a true cunt.

The 'Marshall Plan' for Ukraine is defended by a Creative Commons licence. It was intended to benefit those in greatest need rather than those who intend to "profit politically or otherwise"    

"This is a long-term permanently sustainable program, the basis for "people-centered" economic development. Core focus is always on people and their needs, with neediest people having first priority – as contrasted with the eternal chase for financial profit and numbers where people, social benefit, and human well-being are often and routinely overlooked or ignored altogether. This is in keeping with the fundamental objectives of Marshall Plan: policy aimed at hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. This is a bottom-up approach, starting with Ukraine's poorest and most desperate citizens, rather than a "top-down" approach that might not ever benefit them. They cannot wait, particularly children. Impedance by anyone or any group of people constitutes precisely what the original Marshall Plan was dedicated to opposing. Those who suffer most, and those in greatest need, must be helped first -- not secondarily, along the way or by the way. "