Poland

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 20

Poland

Sir. - M. Creel may be able to see "no resemblance between" earlier "British colonialism in Ireland" and Russian colonialism in Poland but I doubt if others suffer from a similar inability to see parallels. Under the Russian type of colonialism, only those locals who are strongly pro-Russian arc permitted to govern. In view of past Russian behaviour this naturally results in unpopular governments. According to one report, an opinion survey in Poland before the crackdown indicated that the Jaruzelski Government was supported by as little as 3 per

cent of the Polish people. M. Creel suggests that “capitalism’s anti-Sovietism is as sincere as" mine. The American Government has certainly spoken some strong words over Poland, but American actions are inconsistent. For instance. President Reagan recently announced that American taxpayers would reimburse banks for loans they make to communist countries which are not repaid. — Yours, etc.. MARK D. SADLER. February 8. 1982.

Sir.—After the farcical trial and conviction of Owen Wilkes, what credibility remains in the Swedes' version of the Soviet submarine's misadventure in Swedish waters? A State that makes a “spy" of Owen Wilkes made carnival with its spymania in the heaven-sent opportunity of a Soviet submarine astray in its waters. Is Alex Roberts (February 4)’so sure that "investigative press work ensures that information does gel released?" Where was the “investigative press work" in the Fitzgerald case, in Mr Birch's lapse of memory of his directorship of a mining company while Minister of Mines, in the Mount Erebus crash inquiry? Is it so unlikely that the Sakharovs' daughter-in-law was not granted a visa while her parents’ objection to her emigrating was investigated? Western news agencies exploited the delay to the full, while the Sakharovs’ ridiculous hunger-strike influenced the Soviet Government not at all. — Yours, etc.. M. CREEL. February 8, 1982.