Disarmament Options

Why not take the Soviets, who are making so many concessions on arms control ((NATION, April 27)), at face value? The U.S. cried out over Chernobyl but suffered little from the effects. In the Soviet Union, the situation is quite different. Soviet politicians must live with the fear that Chernobyl generated, and it is possible that this accident triggered a change in their thinking about the contamination that would result from nuclear war. The Soviets are scared. They have been to the brink of hell and want to walk away.

Roy S. Wilson

Corvallis, Ore.

Will our NATO allies ever make up their minds about nuclear weapons? In the early 1980s, when the Europeans staged mass protests against U.S. missiles on their soil, some West European leaders hedged on the decision to allow additional arms to be based in their countries. Now, fearing a Soviet attack with conventional weapons, some of these very same politicians have turned around 180 degrees to say that nuclear warheads may not be such a bad idea. If our NATO allies cannot decide what position to take, then the U.S. must take a stand on its own. We should start working toward nuclear disarmament instead of just talking about it. Western Europe must begin to accept responsibility for a greater share of its defense.

Kevin J. Milliken

Columbus

Whatever the motives behind Mikhail Gorbachev's current peace offensive, why not accept these initiatives as honest gestures? The Soviets have had 40 years of relative peace and prosperity. Their war mentality is getting soft around the edges. I believe Gorbachev displays courage. The voices emanating from both superpowers suddenly seem less bellicose and more conciliatory. That is good news.

Bruce Brashear

Malmo, Sweden

I hate to admit it, but Gorbachev is giving the arms-control talks fresh and helpful impulses. He is putting forth concessions that no other Soviet leader has ever made. If the U.S. does not respond soon, a historical chance will be missed. We have no option: we have to accept Gorbachev's offers.

Steffen Klaer

Ludinghausen, West Germany