Bush-Gorbachev Summit in Malta

In response to: “Bush Should Force Gorbachev’s Hand,” by Dana Rohrabacher, Op-Ed Page, Nov. 2:

I don’t know whether to feel angry or sorry over Rep. Rohrabacher’s (R-Lomita) column. Arguing that President Bush should use Soviet desperation for Western aid as leverage to ensure the Soviets continuance on reform is absurd. If Bush follows this thinking (at the upcoming summit) he could very well miss an opportunity to take more than public attention away from Cold War politics. I wonder if Rohrabacher could handle the possibility of a shift in government spending from the outdated “us against them” campaign to more serious domestic problems.

Certainly, perestroika has had its difficulties. Economic problems are piling up and Gorbachev is still entangled in Soviet support of violence and repression in Third World countries. Gorbachev is forced to orchestrate reform that is appealing to both the conservative Politburo and glasnost fever.

Gorbachev is doing what he can, and so should Bush. It is not that difficult to recognize a friendly face in the Soviet Union today. Gorbachev is a friendly face and forcing his hand would be more like slapping his face.

MARK TARANGO, Bellflower