Expand Technology, Redeploy Missiles

Alaska sits at the top of the world, where harshness and beauty alternate. On most maps, it is remote. But from the perspective of a polar map, Alaska is close to everything. A crisis is developing today, and this strategically located state is key to its resolution.

This crisis results from two things, one old, the other new. The old thing--the tyranny of evil men--is personified in Saddam Hussein. He lives by the principle of domination. He is not developing Iraq into anything in particular. He is overwhelming it with his will. Nor is Iraq enough for him. He also wants Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran. If he had those, he would want more.

In China, though limited freedoms are emerging, communism remains the official doctrine. If you go to church in a Chinese city, the police may still appear to beat you, break your legs and drag you to jail. You have committed the offense of prayer. Prayer is an appeal beyond the authority of the politburo. The men who populate that body have risen to power on the principle that there be no authority above them.

During his recent trip, President Clinton brought up practices like this to a Chinese leader, using carefully chosen, mild language. The Chinese leader replied by defending the massacre at Tiananmen. He steadfastly held to the exercise of violent, arbitrary power that is his highest principle.

Yet there is a universal standard that transcends the mores of individual nations. It is heralded most famously in the Declaration of Independence. “To secure these rights,” wrote Thomas Jefferson, “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” He does not say that only of our government. The statement is absolute.

Abraham Lincoln said of the American founders, “They meant to set up a standard maxim for free society, which should be familiar to all and revered by all. The assertion that ‘all men are created equal’ was of no practical use in effecting our separation from Great Britain; and it was placed in the Declaration, not for that, but for future use. Its authors meant it to be . . . a stumbling block to those who in after times might seek to turn a free people back into the hateful paths of despotism.”

Forget the cautious words of Clinton in China. We must speak and act with the boldness of Jefferson and Lincoln. When deeds are tyrannical, we should call them so. And we must not trust anyone guilty of such acts.

The second part of this crisis springs from something new--technology. Technology is providing us with an easier life. It is making Alaska itself more habitable.

But technology has a dark side. It used to require a great power to commit terrible destruction. Thus, we once could number our serious enemies on the fingers of one hand. Now every nation with a little wealth or a bad friend will soon have the ability to do us devastating harm. We must beware not only of Iraq and China, but also of North Korea and Libya.

Alaska has a special part to play in this situation. It is near to--and trades with--Berlin, London, Tokyo and Beijing. The shortest route between our country and much of the world is over Alaska or close by it. That is why we have some of our most capable and best equipped military units there. Consequently, the Alaskan people understand military things quite well. The recent resolution in the Alaska Legislature calling for a ballistic missile defense is a plain sign of this.

To protect Alaska and the rest of our country, four things must be done:

* Abrogate the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty. It was a terrible idea from the start. The Soviets broke it systematically. Then they disbanded. So we have today a bad agreement with a partner that no longer even exists.

* Quickly deploy antiballistic missiles on Aegis cruisers. This could be done in two years.

* Build the infrastructure for a comprehensive system of sea, ground, air and space defense. It should incorporate the most refined technologies and the highest degree of coordination among all elements, including intelligence services.

* Represent the cause of freedom in the world. We have no need to apologize to dictators. Nor should we fail to befriend all nations of goodwill.

These four points begin a policy to achieve real safety. We alone have the capacity to develop such a comprehensive defense and the proven character to be trusted with that power. Building it will deter not just an attack upon us, but also upon most peace-loving countries.