Dear Friends,
Thank you very much for the interest in my book and for the number of letters I had received from you.
Also, please be advised that the full version of my book "The Kingdom of" will be exclusively posted on the site of Cambodia Business Network at: http://www.cambodiabusinessnetwork.com/ Blog of Gregory Shukhman
The Kingom of
Read part six here.
Part seven: New York
Fragment I
The flight back to Kiev was not easy, because we had scheduled departure from Bangkok at 5:00 a.m. on the next day. Nevertheless, there was a direct flight to New York of 16 hours duration. In any case, the return to Kiev was necessary because our joint venture headquarters was there and for me it was very important to ensure our future plans, which of course were based on my ability and understanding of Cambodia.
Even though I was quite tired as was everybody else, the high cost of this tour itself brought me some tension. But there was nothing left, but to follow fate and the offered proposal to find the treasure of a veritable “Klondike Gold Rush.”
Since our flight to Kiev was more than eight hours away, we agreed to accept the advice of the airport officials to use the hotel, as we were all tired.
But the truth was, about an hour later I came to regret the suggestion because of constant airport announcements as well as the annoying and continuous loud groans from the neighboring room, where thin walls couldn’t provide proper insulation. And still those noises were nothing compared to the snoring of my weary and exhausted friends.
So, any hope of sleep was abandoned. I could do nothing to extinguish all the noise except to bring up memories of the extreme poverty and poor children in Phnom Penh and its vicinity.
But if you could look at this country from God’s perspective it was magnificent like all of His other creations. One would be amazed at how beautiful it was in its pristine natural state. Another perspective is how fear can permeate a society and how ruthless people can be to one another.
I realized that, no doubt, nothing was worse than poverty, which destroys a wealth of human existence and corrupts morality in this world.
Thinking of Cambodia, my spirituality excludes any contingency and coincidence, as I do believe in the harmony of a chain of events. What if this was my goal and main appeal, to do some good for this country and its people, I was asking myself.
Being a follower of the words of Torah: “If you are not for yourself, who will? If you are only for yourself, then what are you? If not now, then when?”
I was thinking, perhaps God prized me for my vision. If my soul was desirous of helping others then this is the right way to go. A place, where it seems impossible, but where everything else is a test to get through on the way to the goal. If not now, then when?
Fatigue began to leave; the need to sleep had disappeared. I looked at my watch, as our flight time was drawing near. I went to shower and when I returned my friends were awake and in a slightly better mood.
As always, funny jokes, the best elixir of life, helped. When the guys started to complain about the poor sound insulation in the room and that the standing announcements did not allow them to sleep well, I said, “I never heard all that since the snoring drowned everything out.” They began to argue about the snoring so it seemed that things were back to normal and we were again cheerful. And then it was boarding time.
By the assigned gate, there was a gathering of athletes, the Ukrainian team of Thai boxing, which, after initially having a big lead, were defeated by the Russian team. We encouraged and congratulated them, saying that participation is more important than victory itself.
I had mentioned to my friends that, when were flying to Bangkok, we met the champion Klitchko, but were flying back with a team of losers, which tended to echo our expectation of the trip to Cambodia.
When I noticed that the coaches and the accompanying part of the Ukrainian national team were decently drunk, probably out of grief, I realized that the plane would be noisy and I was not mistaken. Thanks to earplugs, however, I was able to get a few hours of sleep.
Mikhail’s partner, Vitaliy, had picked us up at the airport. Vitaliy Buchenok, who was a former wrestler and World Champion, was very happy that we had a mutual friend, who earlier was a wrestler too and now lived in New York, so we had a few memories to share.
Mikhail was excitedly talking about our adventures in Cambodia. Alex too had added some facts to enhance the excitement.
We had nice, lovely ride and conversation on the way.
Vitaliy’s new BMW was rolling on the solar pass to the heights of the golden domes of Kiev’s Pechersk Lavra and Saint Sophia Cathedral. The green leaves of centuries old trees surrounded their golden horizon and this indescribably spectacular site welcomed us to Kiev again.
Vitaliy had dropped us off at Mikhail’s house, as Mikhail had insisted I stay overnight at his place. As long as it was a big and empty apartment I didn’t argue, since I was going back to New York the next day, and I did not want to lose this friendship link.
Vitaliy had reminded me that Rabinovich would be waiting for us in Hetman’s office at four o’clock. He had sent Alex Klurfield, our common friend in New York, his best regards, said good luck to us, and hurried to leave, because he still had a long drive to Odessa. He is a wonderful guy, and left a very good impression.
When we had arrived in the parking lot, there amongst the buildings was a big neon sign in the old Ukrainian font style “Hetman”, their headquarters office. It was a great feeling that it was the right place and that Vadim Rabinovich was already there. The parking lot was filled with such nice luxury cars, not limited to Maybach, and surrounded by drivers and security.
When security had noticed Mikhail, they greeted him and ignored us. At the checkpoint Mikhail asked where Igor was. “At the conference room on the third floor,” said a security man wearing a combat uniform with a colonel’s insignia.
By the door on the third floor Igor came out to meet us. He embraced Mikhail and gladly welcomed us. He said that Vadim arrived earlier and was waiting for us. Mikhail turned to me and asked that I skip our adventures with the girls before Rabinovich.
In principle, Mikhail told me earlier that Vadim, by religious conviction, led a “kosher" way of life. I had only to envy this faith, I thought.
We entered the room and there were five people sitting by the oval red mahogany table in the conference room. One young athletic-looking man in a dark suit and tie was sitting right behind an older middle aged man, wearing gray pants and a beige shirt, who was talking on the phone. That was Vadim Rabinovich. The guard, who sat behind Vadim, did not get up, but followed us with his eyes. Vadim finished with the conversation, stood up and hugged and shook hands with Mikhail, who introduced us. “This is Gregory from New York, and Alex from Boston.” Apparently he knew that Alex was the owner of the restaurant, because had asked Alex, “Do you have a Russian restaurant in Boston?”
Alex said, “Yes, most of our customers are Russians.”
Mikhail had reported on all of the work done, or rather all that we had seen. Vadim was asking how Bunnaroeun was doing. Mikhail said, “I asked him about 70 grand; he said that he would speak with you about it.”
Rabinovich looked surprised, but said nothing.
“Those proposals, from Bunnaroeun,” Mikhail had continued, “come down on the long term investment side. He showed some fields for sale to grow rice or do some development.” Rabinovich smiled. Igor had some remark that their investment interests are only for the short terms in that region. Mikhail had through some ironic remarks, “the only thing, we didn’t grow yet, it’s rice.”
Vadim looked at me and at Alex, who was sitting next to me, and asked, “What do you think of Cambodia?”
Alex said, “Terrible climate. I would never live there.” He continued, “Besides that, it is seems to me that it is a prospective and organic country, just emerging from the war but now has a stable democratically inclined government and is ripe for foreign investment. Plenty of natural resources and the significant exploration activity of Chevron Texaco has proved that.” Rabinovich added, “Basically all the oil fields which could interest us had gathered under the development and production by other companies. Besides Chevron, there are Singapore, China, Kuwait… and the royalty payable to the Government will be 12.5 per cent of the value of petroleum sold, which is not that bad.”
I continued, “That’s true and because of its convenient geographical location, of growing tourism at the expense of Angkor Wat and the Gulf of Siam, which is a huge, with existing ports and newly developed resorts.”
“Unfortunately,” I said, “I didn’t see any money on the floor, and besides that I’ve met a lot of poor on the streets.”
Mikhail had shared some remarks of his memory about Cambodia’s Central Market. Rabinovich had replied, “You should go with us to Africa, to see the poor. That’s worth any scope of mercy, you may feel to express.”
It was sad to know, realizing that our world was not that perfect as a perfection of its creation.
After a short pause, I had continued. “All the prices, proposed by Bunnaroeun for agricultural products were not prospective for me and my partners, as long as they were high for today’s market. But Cambodia, of course, is an interesting country for sure, and is worth considering doing business over there. As for Bunnaroeun, he guaranteed full government support to any interested project.”
In addition to us at the table were some investors from Uzbekistan. I had not known them before. They asked for my opinion in which field I might to be considering for the best investment opportunity? Mikhail was joking: “Buy the Government.”
Rabinovich had replied, “On some occasions that didn’t work.”
Igor had supported that. He said, “It’s hard to trust as long as, as the great Immanuel Kant had said, ‘Each senator is a good man, but the Senate is an evil beast.’”
On that Rabinovich said, “That’s right, with respect to Kant, who also said, ‘Always recognize that human individuals are ends, and do not use them as means to your end.’”
Being able to take advantage of the pause, I continued, “For me, of course, it would be more attractive to operate in such projects as the clearance of mines, so, as a part from some financial interest, there is still a ‘light’ of being. That is to say in the real estate projects where there is a significant piece of speculation, which, I may say, lowering my spiritual impulse, but it certainly does not diminish the commercial opportunity to make money on a future reselling.”
Rabinovich directed his remarks to Mikhail. “I’ve told Igor that I had assigned that project to the powers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for their consideration. If they will come up with the political interest for that project I’ll definitely give them financial support at the beginning stage, buying some needed equipment and machinery as long as I have a team of professionals to employ for this event.” Then he turned to me and asked, “Do you have something in mind in reference to that project?”
I said, “I would search some possibility from my contacts within the United Nations, as long as this is their area of interest and I have some prominent relations with the diplomatic community in my residential area. Also, as I understand it, you were able to locate some specialists. In this way it will be more sophisticated if I start to work on the creation of a charity fund for such a project, which reflects a humanitarian involvement.”
Rabinovich agreed and wished all of us “Good Luck,” since he had to hurry up and leave.
My first meeting with Rabinovich had really impressed me with his clear understanding of business and his brightness; every one of his words was carried with high integrity, morality and ideas.
The next day’s flight time was approaching within eight hours. New York! Every time, I was coming back I caught myself thinking that there was no more beautiful city. At least of those that I had lived in. And I confirmed this every time I came back.
The government escort did not meet me at the airport. I did not pass through the VIP sector, but the unique rhythm and vibrancy of the city cannot be compared to anything else. Coming back to New York I was thinking only of re-uniting with my family.
Part seven: New York
Fragment II
Thank you very much for the interest in my book and for the number of letters I had received from you.
Also, please be advised that the full version of my book "The Kingdom of" will be exclusively posted on the site of Cambodia Business Network at: http://www.
The Kingom of
Read part six here.
Part seven: New York
Fragment I
The flight back to Kiev was not easy, because we had scheduled departure from Bangkok at 5:00 a.m. on the next day. Nevertheless, there was a direct flight to New York of 16 hours duration. In any case, the return to Kiev was necessary because our joint venture headquarters was there and for me it was very important to ensure our future plans, which of course were based on my ability and understanding of Cambodia.
Even though I was quite tired as was everybody else, the high cost of this tour itself brought me some tension. But there was nothing left, but to follow fate and the offered proposal to find the treasure of a veritable “Klondike Gold Rush.”
Since our flight to Kiev was more than eight hours away, we agreed to accept the advice of the airport officials to use the hotel, as we were all tired.
But the truth was, about an hour later I came to regret the suggestion because of constant airport announcements as well as the annoying and continuous loud groans from the neighboring room, where thin walls couldn’t provide proper insulation. And still those noises were nothing compared to the snoring of my weary and exhausted friends.
So, any hope of sleep was abandoned. I could do nothing to extinguish all the noise except to bring up memories of the extreme poverty and poor children in Phnom Penh and its vicinity.
But if you could look at this country from God’s perspective it was magnificent like all of His other creations. One would be amazed at how beautiful it was in its pristine natural state. Another perspective is how fear can permeate a society and how ruthless people can be to one another.
I realized that, no doubt, nothing was worse than poverty, which destroys a wealth of human existence and corrupts morality in this world.
Thinking of Cambodia, my spirituality excludes any contingency and coincidence, as I do believe in the harmony of a chain of events. What if this was my goal and main appeal, to do some good for this country and its people, I was asking myself.
Being a follower of the words of Torah: “If you are not for yourself, who will? If you are only for yourself, then what are you? If not now, then when?”
I was thinking, perhaps God prized me for my vision. If my soul was desirous of helping others then this is the right way to go. A place, where it seems impossible, but where everything else is a test to get through on the way to the goal. If not now, then when?
Fatigue began to leave; the need to sleep had disappeared. I looked at my watch, as our flight time was drawing near. I went to shower and when I returned my friends were awake and in a slightly better mood.
As always, funny jokes, the best elixir of life, helped. When the guys started to complain about the poor sound insulation in the room and that the standing announcements did not allow them to sleep well, I said, “I never heard all that since the snoring drowned everything out.” They began to argue about the snoring so it seemed that things were back to normal and we were again cheerful. And then it was boarding time.
By the assigned gate, there was a gathering of athletes, the Ukrainian team of Thai boxing, which, after initially having a big lead, were defeated by the Russian team. We encouraged and congratulated them, saying that participation is more important than victory itself.
I had mentioned to my friends that, when were flying to Bangkok, we met the champion Klitchko, but were flying back with a team of losers, which tended to echo our expectation of the trip to Cambodia.
When I noticed that the coaches and the accompanying part of the Ukrainian national team were decently drunk, probably out of grief, I realized that the plane would be noisy and I was not mistaken. Thanks to earplugs, however, I was able to get a few hours of sleep.
Mikhail’s partner, Vitaliy, had picked us up at the airport. Vitaliy Buchenok, who was a former wrestler and World Champion, was very happy that we had a mutual friend, who earlier was a wrestler too and now lived in New York, so we had a few memories to share.
Mikhail was excitedly talking about our adventures in Cambodia. Alex too had added some facts to enhance the excitement.
We had nice, lovely ride and conversation on the way.
Vitaliy’s new BMW was rolling on the solar pass to the heights of the golden domes of Kiev’s Pechersk Lavra and Saint Sophia Cathedral. The green leaves of centuries old trees surrounded their golden horizon and this indescribably spectacular site welcomed us to Kiev again.
Vitaliy had dropped us off at Mikhail’s house, as Mikhail had insisted I stay overnight at his place. As long as it was a big and empty apartment I didn’t argue, since I was going back to New York the next day, and I did not want to lose this friendship link.
Vitaliy had reminded me that Rabinovich would be waiting for us in Hetman’s office at four o’clock. He had sent Alex Klurfield, our common friend in New York, his best regards, said good luck to us, and hurried to leave, because he still had a long drive to Odessa. He is a wonderful guy, and left a very good impression.
When we had arrived in the parking lot, there amongst the buildings was a big neon sign in the old Ukrainian font style “Hetman”, their headquarters office. It was a great feeling that it was the right place and that Vadim Rabinovich was already there. The parking lot was filled with such nice luxury cars, not limited to Maybach, and surrounded by drivers and security.
When security had noticed Mikhail, they greeted him and ignored us. At the checkpoint Mikhail asked where Igor was. “At the conference room on the third floor,” said a security man wearing a combat uniform with a colonel’s insignia.
By the door on the third floor Igor came out to meet us. He embraced Mikhail and gladly welcomed us. He said that Vadim arrived earlier and was waiting for us. Mikhail turned to me and asked that I skip our adventures with the girls before Rabinovich.
In principle, Mikhail told me earlier that Vadim, by religious conviction, led a “kosher" way of life. I had only to envy this faith, I thought.
We entered the room and there were five people sitting by the oval red mahogany table in the conference room. One young athletic-looking man in a dark suit and tie was sitting right behind an older middle aged man, wearing gray pants and a beige shirt, who was talking on the phone. That was Vadim Rabinovich. The guard, who sat behind Vadim, did not get up, but followed us with his eyes. Vadim finished with the conversation, stood up and hugged and shook hands with Mikhail, who introduced us. “This is Gregory from New York, and Alex from Boston.” Apparently he knew that Alex was the owner of the restaurant, because had asked Alex, “Do you have a Russian restaurant in Boston?”
Alex said, “Yes, most of our customers are Russians.”
Mikhail had reported on all of the work done, or rather all that we had seen. Vadim was asking how Bunnaroeun was doing. Mikhail said, “I asked him about 70 grand; he said that he would speak with you about it.”
Rabinovich looked surprised, but said nothing.
“Those proposals, from Bunnaroeun,” Mikhail had continued, “come down on the long term investment side. He showed some fields for sale to grow rice or do some development.” Rabinovich smiled. Igor had some remark that their investment interests are only for the short terms in that region. Mikhail had through some ironic remarks, “the only thing, we didn’t grow yet, it’s rice.”
Vadim looked at me and at Alex, who was sitting next to me, and asked, “What do you think of Cambodia?”
Alex said, “Terrible climate. I would never live there.” He continued, “Besides that, it is seems to me that it is a prospective and organic country, just emerging from the war but now has a stable democratically inclined government and is ripe for foreign investment. Plenty of natural resources and the significant exploration activity of Chevron Texaco has proved that.” Rabinovich added, “Basically all the oil fields which could interest us had gathered under the development and production by other companies. Besides Chevron, there are Singapore, China, Kuwait… and the royalty payable to the Government will be 12.5 per cent of the value of petroleum sold, which is not that bad.”
I continued, “That’s true and because of its convenient geographical location, of growing tourism at the expense of Angkor Wat and the Gulf of Siam, which is a huge, with existing ports and newly developed resorts.”
“Unfortunately,” I said, “I didn’t see any money on the floor, and besides that I’ve met a lot of poor on the streets.”
Mikhail had shared some remarks of his memory about Cambodia’s Central Market. Rabinovich had replied, “You should go with us to Africa, to see the poor. That’s worth any scope of mercy, you may feel to express.”
It was sad to know, realizing that our world was not that perfect as a perfection of its creation.
After a short pause, I had continued. “All the prices, proposed by Bunnaroeun for agricultural products were not prospective for me and my partners, as long as they were high for today’s market. But Cambodia, of course, is an interesting country for sure, and is worth considering doing business over there. As for Bunnaroeun, he guaranteed full government support to any interested project.”
In addition to us at the table were some investors from Uzbekistan. I had not known them before. They asked for my opinion in which field I might to be considering for the best investment opportunity? Mikhail was joking: “Buy the Government.”
Rabinovich had replied, “On some occasions that didn’t work.”
Igor had supported that. He said, “It’s hard to trust as long as, as the great Immanuel Kant had said, ‘Each senator is a good man, but the Senate is an evil beast.’”
On that Rabinovich said, “That’s right, with respect to Kant, who also said, ‘Always recognize that human individuals are ends, and do not use them as means to your end.’”
Being able to take advantage of the pause, I continued, “For me, of course, it would be more attractive to operate in such projects as the clearance of mines, so, as a part from some financial interest, there is still a ‘light’ of being. That is to say in the real estate projects where there is a significant piece of speculation, which, I may say, lowering my spiritual impulse, but it certainly does not diminish the commercial opportunity to make money on a future reselling.”
Rabinovich directed his remarks to Mikhail. “I’ve told Igor that I had assigned that project to the powers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for their consideration. If they will come up with the political interest for that project I’ll definitely give them financial support at the beginning stage, buying some needed equipment and machinery as long as I have a team of professionals to employ for this event.” Then he turned to me and asked, “Do you have something in mind in reference to that project?”
I said, “I would search some possibility from my contacts within the United Nations, as long as this is their area of interest and I have some prominent relations with the diplomatic community in my residential area. Also, as I understand it, you were able to locate some specialists. In this way it will be more sophisticated if I start to work on the creation of a charity fund for such a project, which reflects a humanitarian involvement.”
Rabinovich agreed and wished all of us “Good Luck,” since he had to hurry up and leave.
My first meeting with Rabinovich had really impressed me with his clear understanding of business and his brightness; every one of his words was carried with high integrity, morality and ideas.
The next day’s flight time was approaching within eight hours. New York! Every time, I was coming back I caught myself thinking that there was no more beautiful city. At least of those that I had lived in. And I confirmed this every time I came back.
The government escort did not meet me at the airport. I did not pass through the VIP sector, but the unique rhythm and vibrancy of the city cannot be compared to anything else. Coming back to New York I was thinking only of re-uniting with my family.
Part seven: New York
Fragment II
To be continued:
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