Chernenko Writes to U.S. War Veterans

Soviet President Konstantin U. Chernenko said in a letter Wednesday to a group of U.S. veterans that the Soviet Union and United States must join as they did in World War II “to stop the madness of the arms race.”

The letter was delivered by Deputy Soviet Ambassador Viktor F. Isakov to the the Michigan Veterans Facility. It was in response to letters signed by 14 veterans that were sent Jan. 14 to Chernenko and President Reagan as a result of discussions in a class at the facility.

Don Levy, the teacher, said no reply has been received from Reagan. The White House said Wednesday that it is checking on the veterans’ letter.

Chernenko’s letter was read to the veterans by Isakov. Addressing his reply to “Esteemed American Veterans of World War II,” the Soviet leader said the experiences of U.S.-Soviet efforts in the war make “a case for the strong need to join efforts in order to remove the war danger hovering over the people and to stop the madness of the arms race.”

It added: “However, not everything in this respect depends solely on the Soviet Union and its good will. A similar willingness to reach an agreement is necessary on the other side, too.”

In an hourlong question period after he read the letter, Isakov was asked about Chernenko’s health. Isakov replied: “He has had some problems with his lungs, especially in the winter. . . . He is a little bit better, anyway.”