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870 Market Street
Suite 1028
San Francisco, CA
94102

(415) 391-0228

Vladimir Kuznetsov
Russian Diplomat of Extraordinary Ability

by David N. Strand

As former Secretary of State of the United States, George Shultz said in his letter supporting Vladimir Kuznetsov’s application for permanent residence, “The United States will greatly benefit by offering permanent residence to this diplomat extraordinaire so he may continue his efforts to bring together people in Russia and the United States on a constructive basis.”

In 1993 when Vladimir Kuznetsov arrived in San Francisco as Consul-General of the Russian Federation, many people in the penumbra of the diplomatic community in San Francisco were enamored by this young, tall, handsome, slim and articulate diplomat, a radiant contrast to his predecessors, Soviet style bureaucrats stereotypically physically and intellectually reminiscent of the Kruchev/Breshnev model of Communist leadership.

With his strikingly beautiful wife Valeria, it was as if Jack and Jackie Kennedy had arrived in San Francisco as diplomats.

I first met the Kuznetsovs at a reception at the Russian Consulate, an imposing ten story brick building looming over the exquisite homes of Pacific Heights, San Francisco’s toniest residential neighborhood. A mysterious and foreboding aura surrounded the Consulate, notorious during the Soviet era for the mass of electronic surveillance equipment in the mysterious shed-like addition protruding from the top floor.

In 1997 shortly after Mr. Kuznetsov had resigned as Consul General, I was deeply honored when he contacted me to discuss applying for permanent residence in the United States. Most green card applicants are petitioned by U.S. relatives, and the others are petitioned by companies offering permanent employment. Kuznetsov fit neither category, but I immediately suggested that he self-petition via immigration category EB-1-1 for green card applicants who can demonstrate “extraordinary ability” in science, the arts, education, business, or athletics by demonstrating sustained national or international acclaim through extensive documentation.

Gathering supporting documentation to support his petition made me appreciate more than ever his extraordinary career.

Kuznetsov was born in Sochi, a resort town on the shores of the Black Sea, to parents who worked on the railroad. He joined the Navy and served in Vladivostok, capital city of Russia’s most important Pacific coast province, Primorsky Krai, where years later he would serve as the Soviet equivalent of governor.

After studying to be a diplomat at Moscow’s prestigious Institute of International Relations and earning a doctorate in economics at the Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of World Economy and International Relations, he returned to Vladivostok to direct the Institute of Economic and International Problems of Ocean Development. His leadership qualities led him within a few years to the position of Chairman of Primorsky Krai Soviet of People’s Deputies, the Soviet equivalent of governor. Upon dissolution of the Soviet Union, he was appointed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin to continue as Head of Administration of Primorsky Krai, essentially the same position. In this position Kuznetsov formulated and implemented the opening to the world of Vladivostok, the major city of the Russian far east, which was formerly off-limits to foreigners and most Russians because of Soviet military policy. He initiated successful programs of economic privatization, land reform, and political democratization, and arranged the opening of the American Consulate in Vladivostok and the first visits of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to the home base of the Soviet Pacific Fleet. He successfully initiated trade contracts with nations around the Pacific Basin.

Later, as Consul-General in San Francisco, he used his expertise in international politics and commerce to foster an improved Russian-American relationship, bringing increased economic and cultural benefits to both countries.

Because of Kuznetsov’s richly deserved reputation as an outstanding diplomat, it was not difficult to assemble the extensive documentation required to support an immigrant petition for “an alien of extraordinary ability.” The EB1-1 category requires extensive documentation in a variety of categories. We assembled substantial documentation in the following categories:

1. Documentation of positions in the field of endeavor which require outstanding achievements.
   
   
2. Published material in major media relating to his work in the field of international relations and trade.
   
   
3. Scholarly articles he wrote for professional journals and major media.
   
   
4. Evidence of participation as a lead or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations.
   
   
5. Evidence of academic training and vocational experience in the field of international economics.
   
   
6. Letters evidencing recognition of extraordinary ability by prominent political, diplomatic, academic, and business leaders.
   

Often with cases like this, it is difficult to assemble the required documentation. In this case it was not only easy, but fun, particularly contacting prominent leaders. In addition to George Shultz, quoted at the beginning of this article, we gathered glowing positive supporting letters from Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, former California Governor Pete Wilson, and numerous other political, diplomatic, and business leaders.

Permanent residence was granted the Kuznetsov family, and I am proud to have Vladimir, his wife Valeria, daughter Daria, and son Andrei as friends and neighbors residing in my home town, Larkspur, California.

Vladimir Kuznetsov now divides his time between consulting with the Chuvash Republic, along the Volga River in Russia, and his business interests in the San Francisco Bay Area where he an owner of K & T Company, LLC, which acquires and leases real estate, and is one of the consultants affiliated with Protocol Professionals, an international protocol training, cultural event planning and public relations firm specializing in international diplomacy.

He is deeply distressed by the present Putin/Medveyed leadership in Russia, which he views as a clever but insidious manipulation of the newly democratic structure to return Russia to totalitarian rule. He expressed his feelings in depth in a recent article for the San Francisco Chronicle and a presentation before the World Affairs Council in San Francisco.

Vladimir Kuznetsov says he enjoys living in Larkspur, where he is often seen frequenting local establishments like Ristorante Fabrizio and the Emporio Rulli coffee shop, and the Mt. Tam Racquet Club, but as he told Beth Ashley, popular columnist with our local newspaper, The Marin Independent Journal, “My heart is in Russia.” However, we are indeed fortunate to have an immigrant of such intelligence, ability, and charm among us, yet another example of the talent and vitality immigrants bring to America.