U.S. bases

Press, 30 November 1987, Page 16

U.S. bases

Sir,—To balance your reprinted "Economist” article (November 25), "Russian roulette with U.S. bases,” I offer the following: unlike its critics, Russia has never used aggression in the Pacific. The “Economist’s” claim that America’s two main bases (among another 30 in the

Philippines) are vital to the region’s security is nonsense. The Soviet naval base in Vietnam is tiny, relative to the really huge American Subic Bay naval base. This was acquired following America’s defeat of Spain in 1898, and the vast Clark Air Base was gained in 1947 when the Philippines was desperate for dollars and reconstruction following Japanese occupation. American commercial and military dominance of the Philip-, pines is under threat now because the people remember 'the brutal and corrupt Marcos — supported, as long as he was useful, by America. Despite the commercial cost, many Filipinos want less American dominance, and fear Mrs Aquino could become yet another American puppet — Yours, etc., M. T. MOORE. November 25, 1987.