COMMENT ⊗   VALID 00002 PAGES
C REC  PAGE   DESCRIPTION
C00001 00001
C00002 00002	.require "let.pub[let,jmc]" source
C00006 ENDMK
C⊗;
.require "let.pub[let,jmc]" source;
∂AIL Editor:↓%2New York Times%1↓229 West 43d St.↓N.Y. 10036∞
.turn on "→";
To the Editor:

	Bernard Feld's and Victor Weisskopf's self-congratulatory
September 14
Op-Ed article about the role of scientists in fighting the accumulation
of nuclear weapons shows that they still have their heads in the sand
about the causes of the present danger of nuclear proliferation
and consequent danger of nuclear war.

	The present danger is that certain countries, e.g. South Korea,
Taiwan, Israel, South Africa, and possibly Pakistan, are now in
a situation whereby their best chance of survival is to develop
independent nuclear deterrents.  This was caused
by the collapse of the credibility of
unilateral U.S. guarantees and the unwillingness
of Western Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to take part in
any genuine collective security arrangement involving any of these
countries.  When the policeman quits everyone must defend himself
as best he can.

	Of course, an ordinary American can't be sure
that any of these countries has a nuclear weapons program.  However,
were I a citizen of any of them who considered national independence
worth preserving, I would feel that my country has as much right
as the U.S. to a nuclear deterrent.  Moreover, I would consider
worthless any promises Kissinger and Ford might make while
so many Americans oppose assistance.  The other side of Kissinger's
policy - threatening withdrawal of the little aid we are giving if
they go nuclear - won't work either
unless carried to the extreme of helping their enemies conquer them.
Denying or inspecting nuclear power plants won't work, because
weapons can be made without diverting material from power plants.

	Further proliferation will start when one of these countries
is seen to survive by demonstrating a deterrent.
Every country's officers will then demand their own.

	The only solution seems to be genuine collective security.
Achieving it may require the U.S. to threaten Europe and Japan with
withdrawal of U.S. protection unless they help protect others.
.skip 2
.nofill
→John McCarthy
→Stanford, California