Feeble Reply

The Soviet reply to President Reagan’s contention that the Soviet Union intends to build a nuclear force designed for first-strike use was characteristically feeble. According to The Times (May 9), “A greater absurdity is difficult to imagine,” was the reaction of a Tass news writer.

I would say there is at least one absurdity harder to imagine--the Soviet system itself, which has transformed absurdity into a reality!

It is indeed difficult for us to imagine what truly goes on within the closed Soviet society and within the minds of Soviet officials. But knowing the distinct tendency of evil to attempt to hide and disguise itself to the end, and given the combined degree of military force and political secrecy that the Soviet Union represents, it would seem foolish for us not to suspect (and prepare for) the worst.

VINCE CICORIA

Playa del Rey