Fort Ross, CA: Touching Moment - Russian "Wayside Cross" Installed in Ancient Orthodox Cemetery

This Saturday, there was a big event at the Fort Ross Orthodox Cemetery, in California. In honor of Russia and the US' common history, a wayside cross was unveiled. With all this anti-Russian sentiment going on in the US right now, this story is inspiring.

This Saturday, there was a big event at the Fort Ross Orthodox Cemetery, in California. In honor of Russia and the US' common history, a wayside cross was unveiled. With all this anti-Russian sentiment going on in the US right now, this story is inspiring.

Our special reporter Alexander Khristenko with the details, and more.

 

At the newly-installed Christian wayside cross, a ritual song of the Indians from Kashaya Pomo Tribe is being sung. 200 years ago, on these shores, their ancestors met Russian sailors from Alaska, who founded the Fort Ross Fortress in the area of modern California and took local Indians under their protection. Since then, the settlement, the cemetery, and the spirit of mutual respect between nations have been preserved, that, as they said at the ceremony, is desperately needed today.

There are no signs on the old wooden crosses, it is well known, though, who are buried here. Many Russian names and last names. Vasiliy Antipin, Dmitrii Samoilov, Tatiana Vasilyeva. These names are seen now on the special information plate at the wayside cross, that directly faces fortress and is installed in a place, where it can be clearly seen from everywhere, so that travelers cannot fail to notice it.

The signal that California authorities are sending is not to be confused, too. At the moment when Russia is accused of anything, Governor Jerry Brown supported Ambassador Anatoly Antonov in installing the cross here and to fully develop Fort Ross. It is significant that the head of state decided to personally attend the ceremony.

- Aren't you afraid of what the politicians in Washington will say about your cooperation with Russia?

Jerry Brown, Governor: No, I'm strongly supported in California, and I have been in power longer than most other American politicians. I know what is needed — less rhetoric, more understanding, and a dialogue. There is a lot of instability in the world — not only in relations between our countries, but in other regions, too, Europe, South America, Asia. We are living in an age of turmoil, that's why it's important that the two powers possessing the largest arsenals of nuclear weapons are able to find the greatest opportunities for cooperation in a spirit of mutual respect and move forward instead of labeling each other hysterically.

In the Russian-US common history, politicians search and find mutual pillars for developing a relationship. Tomorrow, with the participation of the Governor of California, there will be the Fort Ross forum, where businessmen of both countries will discuss their common projects. Dialogue, which is rigidly blocked in Washington at the federal level, finds ways develop at a regional level.

Anatoly Antonov, Ambassador of Russia to the US: "You know, it's great. I was coming today from San Francisco and saw names like "Russian River". As I've come here, I see Russian buildings. My heart skips a beat. You know, the atmosphere here is so much different than in Washington. It feels like in some Washington buildings, the air is spoiled with anti-Russian sentiment. The air is different here. And people are different, too".

Russian flag flutters among others hundreds of miles from Fort Ross, in the Californian city of Monterey. Middlebury Institute at Monterey prepares international relations specialists. Those, who in a year or two will be at the negotiating table. Probably with their Russian colleagues on the other side, as issues of strategic armaments and nuclear non-proliferation are studied in detail here.

Therefore, they understand the danger of the current state of affairs, when not only agreements are missing, but even the mere discussion of problems. Washington still keeps almost all communication channels closed.

William Potter, Middlebury Institute Professor: "As Ambassador said, there is no actual dialogue now. The first step would be to launch it at the level of the military of the two countries, officials of the Ministry of Energy, the State Department. That should become commonplace".

In the meantime, the Russian ambassador, giving students symbolic gifts explains that these are just T-shirts. There's nothing to fear.

Anatoly Antonov: "Battle of Kursk, in Russian. We jointly fought against Nazism. These are T-shirts designed by the Russian Ministry of Defence, I hope you're going to wear them. Please believe, there's nothing against the interests of the US on them".

Emotions are running high. The midterm congressional elections, which ultimately can cost Donald Trump his presidency, are in three weeks. The card of collusion with Russia is played in full swing, and the female card, too. The defeated Hillary Clinton has returned to American television screens.

Hillary Clinton: "He has been insulting, attacking, humiliating women for years. Before and after his campaign. He keeps doing it as President, too".

To all this, Donald Trump contrasts what has once worked brilliantly, personal performances in different states. This week he was in Kansas, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. He emotionally campaigned for the Republicans.

Donald Trump: "Never give matches to an arsonist. Do not give power to the hands of the angry left-wing mob. Democrats have become extremists. Frankly, I would fear for everyone if they come to power. They're wacko!"

Every word, and even more so an action, can now cost votes. There's still hope that the Russian-American dialogue will get off the ground. Under the current conditions, however, it can happen only after congressional elections on November 6th.

Alexander Khristenko, Nikolay Koskin, Vesti. California, the US.