U.S., Soviet Intentions

It is unbelievable that Morris Muskat and Richard Nester (Letters, Oct. 5), “President’s Speech to U.N.,” can equate the intentions and conduct of the United States with those of the Soviet Union.

American good intentions toward the world have been on display for many years--aid in rebuilding Japan and West Germany after World War II, the Berlin airlift, financial support far beyond our share for the United Nations, the Peace Corps, and financial and material offerings of aid for countless catastrophes (natural and man-made) throughout the world, to name a few.

There is no prison or mental hospital in this country filled with political prisoners, nor are phony trials conducted wherein a defense is not allowed the accused.

We do not systematically starve, overwork, torture and freeze “enemies of the state” and prevent their access to information.

Neither is local, national or international news denied our people. No one in this country has to hide in order to listen to the radio.

We do not crate famines in order to commit genocide, as is being done in Afghanistan and is being aided and abetted in Ethiopia.

Many more comparisons could be made illustrating the vital, basic differences between the United States and the Soviet Union, but I think the one glaring contrast, which is seldom mentioned, is between the two constitutions (manifesto in the U.S.S.R.). Where our written directive stress fairness, equality and justice, theirs spells out restraints, world conquest and the use of any means, including untruths, to accomplish their ends.

Some Americans suggest Mikhail Gorbachev should be “given a chance,” that he represents a “new order.” But until some of the objectives stated so clearly in their manifesto are changed, I will hope our government moves cautiously.

MARTHA L. REYNOLDS

Downey