Soviet tests in the Pacific

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 14

Soviet tests in the Pacific

Sir,—While M. Lyons (December 18) does not name the “reputable Australian magazine” which published the article he was so impressed with, its derisory heading “Peaceniks' silent as Soviets test super missiles in the Pacific” clearly reveals strong bias. Our socalled silence is a propaganda delusion which M. Lyons repeats. The peace movement has consistently opposed all nuclear testing and has protested in various ways to the culprits. Last year our group (and many others) received and acted on an “Urgent Action Alert” from Peace Movement Aotearoa which gave details of renewed Soviet Pacific missile tests, urging opposition at all practical levels. Nuclear proliferation feeds on itself, with each participant blaming the other for provocation. Russia had a whaling station on Hawaii in 1810-12, but has never invaded any part of the Pacific since. The same definitely cannot be said for the other Pacific nuclear powers. Strange isn’t it?—Yours, etc., M. T. MOORE. December 18, 1985.

Sir,—What precisely is the point that K. J. Jones is trying to make in his letter of December 10, alleging that the Soviet Union, since July, 1984, has fired eight inter-continental ballistic missiles to target sites in the South Pacific? No doubt the Soviet Government published the projected dates, times and areas for the firings with the customary warning to shipping to avoid the target area; As the missiles are unarmed and land harmlessly at sea, causing no reported damage, what point is there in protesting? The United States also fires missiles to sea, the most recent, reported by the 8.8. C., on December 17, was a Pershing II fired over the Atlantic. Is K. J. Jones going to call for protests against United States missile firings to sea, or is his concern only for Soviet missile firings?—Yours, etc., M. CREEL. December 17, 1985.