The Gorbachev proposals

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 16

The Gorbachev proposals

Sir,—Tuesday’s sub-leader (January 28) perpetuates one of the longest-standing misrepresentations of the Soviet Union’s position on verification, and on on-site inspection as essential adjuncts to disarmament. The Soviet view was expounded in sweeping disarmament proposals made by Premier Khrushchev before the United States General Assembly on September 18, 1959, and have remained unchanged since. He proposed that over a period of four years “all States should effect complete disarmament,’” and “a system of control over all disarmament should be instituted and should function according to the stages by which disarmament is effected.” The difference between the Soviet and United States stands is that the Soviet Union wants disarmament measures agreed upon and only then verification measures set up. The United States wants on-site inspection measures set up before any disarmament measures are agreed upon, justifying Soviet charges that United States priorities are designed for Intelligence gathering only. — Yours, etc., M. CREEL. January 28, 1986. Sir, —Predictably your editorial of January 28 treats the latest Russian disarmament proposals with great scepticism, although you admit that they contain “important advances,” which by any standards is true. On the American side you also admit that most scientists are unhappy about "star wars.” In fact, many have said tha S.D.I. cannot provide the impregnable defence that is claimed. Therefore, the Reagan Administration’s insistence upon its development is undoubtedly the main obstacle to an agreement with the Russians. That is not to say that there is no need for caution over Gorbachev’s proposals, but so often as a country we act as if only the Americans are right. In belonging to A.N.Z.U.S. we acquiesce by Implication in United States military policy, including “star w>-s,” potentially all developments of supreme concern to humanity. — Yours, etc., W. R. SYKES. January 29, 1986.