Sakharov

Press, 23 June 1984, Page 18

Sakharov

Sir,—lt would be a fitting tribute to Andrei Sakharov to have streets in Western capitals named after him, as suggested by the Mayor of Brussels, cited by Dominic Paul Baron (June 18). In his book “My Country and the World,” Sakharov maligns and slanders his own country while presenting a falsely roseate picture of the United States. He erroneously described the Soviet system as State-capitalism. Western political leaders are not so misinformed. They hate and fear the Soviet Union not for imaginary violations of human rights (they accept them quite happily in South Africa) but because it is incorruptibly socialist. Sakharov is a vain, arrogantly egotistical man consumed with self-pride, and an insatiable craving for Western adulation. By all means let streets in Western capitals be named after him. He deserves such recognition, he has worked hard enough for it. — Yours, etc., M. CREEL. June 18, 1984.

Sir, — Dominic Paul Baron says that we should emulate Brussels and rename the street that the Soviet Embassy is situated in Andrei Sakharov Street. That is an excellent idea, but why stop there? I think we should emulate the Egyptians and kick the Soviets out of New Zealand altogether. They could come back when Andrei Sakharov and his many lesserknown friends are free, and the Soviet Union starts to disarm and pull her troops out of foreign countries. Even having an embassy representing the Soviet Union’s leadership in New Zealand is an insult to our country. — Yours, etc T. R. LOUDON. June 18, 1984.