Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Gorbachev

I was pleased to hear that Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev has won the Nobel Peace Prize. However, I fear that unless we take concrete steps immediately to help the Soviet Union in its transition to a market economy, that he may not be president for much longer and that turmoil may reign.

Why can’t we and other wealthy countries send them aid, such as surplus food and financial aid on a temporary basis? In addition, we should send them some specialists in economic reorganization to help them change their system quickly to a market-based economy. We need something like the Marshall Plan to help them and the countries of Eastern Europe to develop. I realize our country is in financial difficulty, too; however, if we help them now, they could become good customers of ours and in the long run this will help our economy.

ANITA RIVERO, Downey