Soviet presence in the Pacific

Press, 6 March 1984, Page 20

Soviet presence in the Pacific

Sir, — Late last year I obtained a draft copy of a forthcoming publication “United States Military Power in the Pacific” compiled after the third Nuclear-Free Conference in Vanuatu in 1983. This study, using American information statistics and maps, gathered by among others, the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, lists 64 major and 82 smaller American Pacific bases, stretching from South Korea to Australia. Two hundred and four separately-sited support facilities are also listed. Against this are noted two major and five smaller Soviet bases in the far North Pacific, with two major and two smaller ones in Vietnam. A constant ratio of military sunface vessels about 8 to 1 in America’s favour detailed. Beyond doubt it is America which is militarising the Pacific despite it is already overwhelming presence. Emphasis on the so-called Soviet threat is propaganda with no factual basis. — Yours, etc.,

M. T. MOORE. March 4, 1984.

Sir,—Chris King’s attempt (March 3) to explain away the expansion of the Soviet Navy in the Pacific is ludicrous. Soviet submarines need protection from United States Navy ships like a flea needs protection from a dog. The Soviet Union is a land power, so the creation of a blue water Soviet Navy can never be seen as defensive. I suggest that Chris King looks at Jane’s “Fighting Ships.” There will be nowhere near 30 Ohio class missile submarines in the Pacific by 1990. Only about 10 will be in United States service by then, let alone in the Pacific.—Yours, etc.,

JOHN BIDWELL. March 4, 1984.