East and West
Sir,—John Bateman (October 20) applauds the outcome of the Reykjavik talks. Since the United States has mostly led. the nuclear arms race, it is difficult to see how the Russians can have superiority, as he claims. Furthermore, the efficiency of delivery systems must be accounted for. Thus, with a near tenfold superiority in nuclear weapons over the Russians at sea, the Americans could easily obliterate us all. In some convoluted way John Bateman apparently thinks that the capitalist system somehow acquires merit in being able to develop, “star wars.” Of course, it would be extremely difficult for the Russians to develop their own 5.D.1., in fact it is entirely possible that President Reagan is pushing ahead so that Mr Gorbachev will be forced to follow suit and probably bankrupt the Russian economy. However, I note that John Bateman has to stress the “purely defensive” nature of 5.D.1., thereby revealing his awareness of how seriously this claim is now questioned. — Yours, etc.,
W. R. SYKES. October 20, 1986.
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Press, 22 October 1986, Page 20
Word Count
170East and West Press, 22 October 1986, Page 20
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