Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site usl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!akgub!usl!sigma From: sigma@usl.UUCP (Spyridon Triantafyllopoulos) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Euromissiles in Belgium (once more) Message-ID: <292@usl.UUCP> Date: Sun, 10-Feb-85 23:18:50 EST Article-I.D.: usl.292 Posted: Sun Feb 10 23:18:50 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 02:22:59 EST Organization: USL, Lafayette, LA Lines: 55 " " = Dave Rubin, >> = Spiros Triantafyllopoulos Ivan is not likely to turn the other cheek if US intermediate range missiles were to begin landing in European portions of the Soviet Union. Were there only French and/or British missiles so landing, Uncle Sam could realistically expect Ivan not to retaliate against North America. Thus, the deployment of US intermediate range missiles in Europe decreases the chance of a nuclear war being "limited" >> But there is no reason French and/or British missiles (I mean >> missiles belonging to the COUNTRY's armed forces and NOT to NATO >> armed forces) should land on Soviet (Oh stargate forgive me!) land. >> unless an Afganistan-like story occurs. (Soviets attack first). >> Then Uncle Sam would throw in its candies since its pals were hit, >> and "this is the end, my only friend". I don't claim equal knowledge of Greek and Italian attitudes. However, I assert that discussion of Greek and Italian interests does not require such detailed knowledge, and to assert otherwise is to beg the issues of what does constitute their national interests. >> That is what we are talkin about, Dave. My national interests concerning >> the missiles. And probably the 8+ millions of Greeks and 40+ millions >> of Italians, that also have their OWN, more often than not, interests. My objection was to having my carefully reasoned arguments dismissed, not by analysis or evidence, but by an argument which ran something like "Greeks know what is best for Greece, you are not Greek, therefore you cannot know what is best for Greece." >> This is also an argument. Should I, without thorough knowledge of >> US politics, provoke a discussion of US affairs?? Or support a >> discussion based on news media information only?? Think about it, >> and you will see that it is an argument. I accept your view since >> it is parallel with US-based decisions on the missiles. However, >> I can understand the effects of these decisions on the parties >> affected better even than the people who MADE the decisions... >> After all, they do not consider our national interest, do they? The missiles (probably) will be installed pretty much in the numbers planned. However, the pressure from both the US and the USSR, from the electorate and the defense establishments, would have mattered little had not the interests of Western Europe demanded some strengthening of the linkage of US and European defenses in response to the Soviets' build-up. >> Talking about something is important, agreement comes later. >> I am pleased we get in agreement. (In Greece, flame and politics have >> the same properties :-)). But, the question, still open to other >> people as well, remains as "why europe??". If only United Europe >> was a reality and not a dream broken by the stupid nationalists... -- Spiros Triantafyllopoulos /* In the deaf man's door, -- USL Computer Science Dept. there is a bell with a light */ -- {ut-sally, akgua}!usl!sigma -- Old Greek Proverb ---