Give Russia room
Re “U.S. and Poland reach arms deal,” Aug. 15
After reading of the plan to erect a missile shield in Poland, I wonder at the Bush administration’s sensitivity to Russian concerns. The administration says the shield is directed at rogue states such as Iran and not at Russia. How do we expect Russia to believe that?
How would we react if Russia announced it had concluded a deal with Mexico to install a 10-interceptor shield in Tijuana? Would we be understanding about it?
No superpower will tolerate any kind of rocketry installed on its doorstep. We didn’t in Cuba in 1962, and Russia won’t in Poland in 2008. In the interest of fairness and peaceful relations, we need to grant Russia the same room we demand for ourselves.
Ralph Kottke
North Hollywood
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