CAMARILLO, VENTURA : Soviets Visit County as Part of Exchange

These diplomats don’t travel in motorcades to high-profile summits. They chat over lunch, go to the ballet studio or ride a boogie board to help ease tension between the Soviet Union and the United States.

They are women and children working for peace through MEND, a nonprofit, educational group that organizes exchanges between Americans and Soviets. This week, 12 women and children are spending time at Ventura County schools, hospitals and beaches to acquaint themselves with California life as the second half of this year’s exchange.

MEND, which began in 1985, stands for Mothers Embracing Nuclear Disarmament. Today, the threat of nuclear war between the countries has diminished, so the organization works on creating a better understanding between citizens.

An economist, an obstetrician, a math teacher, a former interior decorator and a physics student are among the Soviets visiting Camarillo and Ventura families. Having spent the earlier part of this week in Washington, D.C., and San Diego, the Soviets will be treated to bodysurfing at the beach, strawberry picking and a reception at the Ventura County Museum of History and Art.

Dr. Natasha Okhrimenko, a Ukrainian obstetrician who now lives in Moscow, said equipment and medical buildings in the United States are much more advanced than in her country but that illnesses are the same.

“The differences we have aren’t very important,” said Valerie Chrisman of Ventura who is providing housing for Okhrimenko. “What’s more important are the common values and goals and our desire for a safer world.”

Last fall, American families toured the palaces of Leningrad and Moscow’s cathedrals, and visited Soviet houses, including some in the Baltic states. Much has changed in the Soviet economy and politics since September, and the women say those changes will be among the topics they will discuss with their guests.

“I got the feeling that, yes, there will be a civil war,” said Sandy High, a Camarillo homemaker who spent a few days in Estonia while in the Soviet Union with her son, Jason. High gives presentations on the struggle in area schools.

“I feel, by creating an understanding, an awareness, it helps create more of a chance for peace in the next generation,” High said.