Non-aggression pacts

Press, 25 February 1983, Page 16

Non-aggression pacts

Sir, — By saying that deterrence has been successful. Mark Sadler is ignoring the vast proliferation of nuclear weapons (17.336 between the super-Powers or 2000 Hiroshimasfor every city in the northern hemisphere), the modernisation and remodernisation of delivery vehicles looking for the window of vulnerability and the division of resources contributing tb instability and revolution. Far from deterring, the arms race is setting us on a course to destruction. The thin margin between the possession of nuclear weapons and their use is making us all nervous — hence the burgeoning European peace movement and the noticeable influx of American and European expatriates looking for a remoter South Pacific haven. Particularly disturbing though, is the United States President's readiness to bridge that margin. Ronald Reagan has said, “I could see where you could have an exchange of tactical (nuclear) weapons against troops in the field, without it bringing either of the major Powers into pushing the button.” — Yours, etc., KEITH BURGESS. February 22, 1983. Sir,—H. F. Newman (February 19) continues his inaccuracies about the Soviet Union, ignoring American crimes. Invasion is a grossly inaccurate, emotive propaganda term for the Soviet

Unions actions in Poland (war. retaliation, reclamation, compensation). Hungary (repression of a feared spontaneous movement). Afghanistan (suppression of armed, retrogressive Muslim revolt) etc., etc. The United States has interfered militarily and/or politically in Germany. Greece. Turkey, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, China, Brazil. Chile. Argentina. Bolivia. El Salvador, Australia, etc., etc., and has distorted the economies of. and exposed to nuclear damage, the major Pacific island nations. —

Yours, etc., SUSAN TAYLOR February 21. 1983.