Armed forces

Press, 12 September 1986, Page 16

Armed forces

Sir,—M. T. Moore (September 9) lists a large number of Russia’s “neighbours” (e.g., Thailand?) that allegedly “host myriad American . . . bases.” It is true that many neighbours of the U.S.S.R. are her enemies, but why is this? It is simply because any Russian neighbouring State that has not become her enemy has long since become her puppet. The tragic case of Afghanistan shows how the bear hugs those that get too friendly. With a choice like that is it any wonder that so many of the countries "surrounding” Russia have thrown in their lot with Uncle Sam? Or is she surrounded? With a colossus like the Soviet Union, one might argue, when looking upon an azimuthal equidistant projection world map centred on Tierra del Fuego, that Russia “surrounds” them. — Yours, etc., STEPHEN WRATHALL. September 10, 1986.

Sir, —Japan’s economic conquest, referred to by Susan Taylor (September 9), effectively illustrates the benefits of a light defence burden. Professor Lawrence Klein emphasised that in Japan and the German Federal Republic defence spending as a fraction of G.N.P. is relatively low and that 40 years after decisive defeats in World War II their strong recovery points to an economic victory. The heavy military burden and relatively poor economic growth of both the Soviet Union and the United States is proof that the continued arms race, apart from destabilising world security, is a real economic liability. Disarmament and development are of greatest importance to all nations, a concept supported by the United Nations Department of Disarmament Affairs. Peace, security, economic and social development are indivisible and continued high military expenditure does nothing to help. The nuclear

powers know this and, in the terms of the United Nations Charter, should act now to promote international peace and security, with the least diversion for armaments of the world’s human and economic resources. — Yours, etc., CHRIS KING. Waikuku, September 9, 1986. Sir, —J. Simmonds (September 10) claims that “... the West is unable to offer much assistance ... (to Afghanistan).” In fact, according to the “Washington Post,” covert assistance to the Afghan resistance by the C.I.A. had, by 1985, become the largest secret operation by the United States since the Vietnam War. The Reagen Administration has no respect for humanity and has done all in its power to prolong the Afghani agony as long as possible. The widespread death and destruction J. Simmonds talks about is great propaganda for the United States, as well as tying down 115,000 Soviet troops in a morale-undermining war. As far back as 1983 the Soviets were seeking a face-saving settlement through both the United Nations, and Pakistan. Correspondents from the “Far Eastern Economic Review” reported Washington’s response as “a deliberate attempt to torpedo the United Nations peace initiative." In Afghanistan, neither super-Power is blameless. — Yours, etc., WARREN THOMSON. September 11, 1986.