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From: kurt@doodah.UUCP (Kurt VanderSluis)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: UUCP - USSR
Message-ID: <220@doodah.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 25-Oct-87 15:02:28 EST
Article-I.D.: doodah.220
Posted: Sun Oct 25 15:02:28 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Oct-87 03:41:01 EST
References: <11217@orchid.waterloo.edu> <7445@boring.cwi.nl>
Organization: Boeing Mountain Network, Seattle WA
Lines: 43

In response to U. Waterloo article, Varol Akman writes:
> 
> Just the fact that something is available for Russian agents doesn't
> imply that Americans should make life easier for them. In an ideal world, 
> I would be all for your proposal but I believe that as long as the Russians
> continue their dirty aggressions and secret, harmful operations directed
> towards the free world, U.S. should try *hard* to make life difficult
> for them.  Computer technology/science is one field where Americans
> excel and Russians stink.  Why should we let them have a free lunch --
> especially when it is obvious that they are going to use this technology
> against freedom-loving people all around the globe (including their own
> kingdom and the Eastern block)?
> 
There are many reasons to criticize the USSR, but unless your glass windows
are made with unbreakable glass, the fact that Russians carry on dirty,
secret and harmful agressions around the world is not one of them.  All major
industrialized countries do this.  Some to a great extent (Russia, US) and some
to a very small extent (Japan).  Caspar Weinberger has said the "low-intensity
conflict" (the technical term for these actions) will dominate warfare for
the forseeable future.  It's cheaper in terms of money and political liability
to sponsor someone else to do your dirtywork.  Economically mature states
have always been militarily overcommitted.  LIC is one way to extend your
capabilities.  LIC presents several problems in terms of control and 
accountability.  The Contras in Nicaragua are a good example of this.  Because
the accounting for this is not publicly acknowledged, corruption within
the Contra command is inevitable.  The sponsoring country has to decide what
level of corruption it can deal with.  Similarly, the Contras are pretty much
free to decide their own policies with regard to the conduct of the war, 
including how they handle highly printable issues like the disposition of
civilians in the conflict.  My personal position is that the Contras were a
bad idea in the first place, in that they are not an effective instrument
of diplomacy.  But given the organizational problems of LIC, it is not
surprising that they (whatever the intentions) have devolved into a bunch
of self-seeking brigands that are willing to befriend any policy as long
as the pay is good.  And .. the pay hasn't been that good.  My hope is
that the Arias peace plan will be a better deal for them than the love-hate
relationship of the American government.

-- 
Kurt VanderSluis                   *********************************
Boeing Computer Services           *   These opinions are mine,    *
M/S 6R-37  P.O. 24346              *   not the Boeing Company's.   *
Seattle, WA  98124                 *********************************