James Patterson Reviews Letter on Ukraine from President Barack Obama

 September 15, 2014

The White House, Washington

Dear James:

Thank you for writing. My Administration continues to be deeply concerned by ongoing events in Ukraine, and I appreciate hearing from you.

Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, its attempted annexation of Crimea, and its support for violent separatists constitute a threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These actions violate international law, including Russia’s obligations under the United Nations Charter. Russia’s intervention is also inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which the United States, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom committed to respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and existing borders. The United States reaffirms this commitment to the Ukrainian government and the people of Ukraine, and we condemn Russia’s failure to abide by its commitments as demonstrated by its unilateral military actions and its continuing efforts to destabilize Ukraine.

Russia’s actions undermine the foundation of the global security architecture and endanger European peace and security. Its support, encouragement, training, and arming of separatists in eastern Ukraine led to the senseless shootdown of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 and the sudden and tragic loss of nearly 300 innocent lives. As I have said from the very beginning of this crisis, we want to see a negotiated solution, and I have urged President Putin to work constructively with President Poroshenko and the international community to reach a lasting settlement to the conflict. However, as long as Russia continues to take steps to destabilize its neighbor, we will continue to take the necessary steps to respond to its ongoing provocations.

Through sanctions, we have imposed significant costs on Russia. And we have told Russia in no uncertain terms that any crossing of the Ukrainian border, without the formal, express consent of the Ukrainian government would violate international law and lead to Russia’s further isolation from the international community.

America will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to affirm its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we will provide assistance and the best expertise available to help Ukraine repair its economy and address humanitarian needs. It is up to the Ukrainian people to determine their own destiny. As they work to restore unity, peace, and security to their country and build a more democratic, prosperous, and just state, we will stand by their side.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Visit WhiteHouse.gov

James Patterson note: I've celebrated Ukraine Independence Day, August 24, with Ukrainians in California and Washington, DC! These were always solemn and inspiring for me. Obama/Biden failed Ukraine. 

James Patterson and Breaking Point The War for Democracy in Ukraine

July 15, 2016 

 Dear Jim,

Thank you so much!  This is wonderful.  I have edited slightly for length: 

111 years after the sailor’s mutiny aboard the Russian battleship Potemkin and 90 years after Soviet film director’s Sergei Eisenstein’s monumental film comes the epic documentary BREAKING POINT: The War for Democracy in Ukraine.  The decision by Ukrainians to pursue prosperity with Europe brought on Russian aggression and illegal annexation of Crimea.  In both films men and women seeking peace and freedom confront brutality and death.

Battleship Potemkin is famous for its depiction of Russian troops gunning down ordinary citizens on the Odessa Steps.  The filmmakers of BREAKING POINT similarly bring the audience unflinchingly close to images of the war unleashed by Russia, using startling documentary footage and emotional interviews with participants to make us feel that “We Are There”.

Free societies value a people’s right to peaceful protest and self-determination.  It is a rare film that can demonstrate these democratic values and can inspire people suffering from oppression.  BREAKING POINT shows courageous Ukrainians striving to live as a free people in peace and prosperity, in a world ruled by laws, not by gun, tank or bomb.

James Patterson is a Life Member of the American Foreign Service Association.  He has received many assignments in Europe and Asia.  His writing has been published in the Foreign Service Journal, Epoch Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Examiner, In These Times, The Hill, Berkeley Daily Planet and San Jose Mercury News.

Let me know if it's all right to identify you on the website this way.  

Thanks again for writing this up so quickly!

Paul Wolansky, Co-Writer, Co-Producer

BREAKING POINT: The War for Democracy in Ukraine

See 

http://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/breaking-point-the-war-for-democracy-in-ukraine/

James (Jim) Patterson Redirects Readers.

 This site is no longer maintained by Mr. Patterson. He posts his work on his LinkedIn page. See

https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-patterson-474002a8/ He has a Facebook Page at Foriegn Service Career Coach. 

James Patterson Group

Washington, D.C. 

August 2020

 

Jim Patterson on U.S. Sanctions on Members of Iran's Guardian Council

U.S. sanctions clerics in Iran over election
Matthew Lee,  ASSOCIATED PRESS February 21, 2020

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration on Thursday ratcheted up pressure on Iran by slapping sanctions on top members of a powerful clerical body that disqualified thousands of candidates from running in that country’s parliamentary elections.

A day before Iranians go to the polls, the administration imposed sanctions on two senior officials of the Guardian Council, including its chief and three members of its elections supervisory committee. Officials said those targeted were responsible for silencing the voice of the Iranian people by rejecting more than 7,000 candidates. See endnote 1.

The penalties announced by the State and Treasury departments include freezes on any assets the five may have in U.S. jurisdictions, or that they try to move through the U.S. banking system. Also, Americans are barred from doing business with them. It was not immediately clear if the sanctions would have any practical effect, but Brian Hooks, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, said it’s important to highlight the role of clerics who are not widely known outside Iran. Endnote 2. 

Thursday’s announcement was the latest move in the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure campaign” against Iran that began after the president withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal and began to re-impose sanctions that had been eased under that accord.

Barely a week goes by without new sanctions. U.S. officials have said the campaign will continue until Iran changes its behavior.

The five Iranians targeted Thursday “have denied the Iranian people free and fair parliamentary elections,” Hook told reporters. “Together these five officials oversee a process that silences the voice of the Iranian people, curtails their freedom and limits their political participation.”

Those targeted include the chief of the council, Ahmad Jannati, and senior member Mohammad Yazdi. Jannati, 92, is a hard-line cleric who once supported former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Yazdi is another influential member of the council who served as the Iran’s judiciary chief in the 1990s. The sanctions also affect Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, the council’s spokesman.

Endnote 1. An estimated 12,000 candidates, nearly 60% were disqualified because, among other excuses, their faith was not consistent with the Supreme Leader. Average age in Iran is 32. I assume the 7,000 candidates rejected were young Iranians, many are pledging not to vote. 

Endnote 2. I agree it is important for Americans and the world to know the names of these human rights abusers. It's important also to know the ages of these guys. Yazdi is 88; I do not have an estimate on Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei.