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From: dc@datlog.UUCP ( David Crone )
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Delhi Declaration - A Response to the Nuclear Dilemma
Message-ID: <548@dlvax1.datlog.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 20-Nov-85 04:50:48 EST
Article-I.D.: dlvax1.548
Posted: Wed Nov 20 04:50:48 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Nov-85 10:37:12 EST
References: <1895@orca.UUCP> <2244@umcp-cs.UUCP> <3350@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Reply-To: dc@datlog.UUCP ( David Crone )
Distribution: net
Organization: Data Logic Ltd, Greenford, London.
Lines: 44
Summary: The Superpower Confrontation is based on mutual suspicion...
Xpath: stc stc-a

In article <3350@brl-tgr.ARPA> wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) writes:
>
>Just to make waves... I recall that the main reason the west has "MAD"
>and nuclear deterrence as its strategic methodology is that it is far
>CHEAPER than matching the Soviets in conventional armaments and manpower.
>Of course, total disarmament, not just nuclear freezes or eliminating
>nuclear weaponry entirely, would save that large cost, but otherwise I
>would expect that a committment to nuclear disarmament would RAISE our
>defense spending, not lower it.
>............................................... In fact, if you did cut
>out nuclear weapons but, still and at the same time, wanted to preserve
>a credible defense system, your costs and taxes to fund this would
>skyrocket. Plus we would probably have to reinstitute a draft and keep
>far larger standing armies overseas. 
>
>Will

[ Time to don the lead suit...|-) ]

I think the whole premise that the West (sic!) needs to match Soviet military
power in any way ( either by CHEAP (ho-ho) nuclear weapons or by convential
forces ) is entirely FALSE.

The whole basis for the superpower confrontation is mutual suspicion.

The Soviet Union, historically, has always had more to fear from the West
vis-a-vis the post-1917 war between Red and White Russian factions where the
old Imperialist forces (White) where aided by the US/UK/France etc.. with men
and finance and arms. The Soviets consider that all their policies are 
protecting the motherland. The US/UK axis of world power wanted the communist
system destroyed because it posed a threat to their political and economic
hegemony.

The only real solution is for both sides to COMPLETELY accept the existence of
the others political/economic idealogy AND dismantle the large scale nuclear
and conventional forces they have ranged against each other.

There are other more irrational states/idealogies around that need their
attention or even policing!!!!!!!

...and enough starving/suffering people both at home and abroa who need any
money that can be saved.
		
		David C.