Letters, Jun. 2, 1980

Reshuffle at State

To the Editors:

President Carter made a striking decision, picking Senator Edmund Muskie as Secretary of State [May 12]. We need big men in these positions, and Muskie is a giant in every respect.

Edward Alderfer Hamilton, Ohio

In accepting Cyrus Vance's resignation, President Carter continues to confuse such qualities as integrity and sincerity with competence. That this naiveté about personnel matters should persist so long gives rise to doubts about the man's ability to learn from experience.

Maurice E. Friot, M.D. Marco Island, Fla.

If the jobs of Secretary of State and National Security Adviser are so closely entwined and can be so confrontive, why are they two separate offices? The personality, not the position, seems to hold the power and win the rounds. In this case, Brzezinski took his first title bout.

Bruce Schowers Las Vegas

You dismiss Brzezinski as a hothead.

He may be, but he may also be the only

one who understands what the Soviets

really want. Anyone who is attacked in

the Soviet press as a peddler of "slander

and obvious lies" may know only too well.

Cynthia J. Crosson

Ballwin, Mo.

So Muskie has Polish ancestry too. Let's hope, for the sake of a consistent foreign policy, that he and Brzezinski are not Poles apart.

Jeanne W. Shafer Ann Arbor, Mich.

Thoughts from the Analysts

The thought-provoking commentaries by Henry Kissinger and the other foreign policy analysts [May 12] presented different viewpoints, but there seemed to be one common thread throughout their remarks: we don't have a foreign policy that is understood by Congress, the American people or our allies.

Arthur C. Baxter Atlanta

George W. Ball propounds the thesis of negative action for this country, a policy that has reduced us to a hesitant, cringing nation with no real friends and certainly no respect. His whole policy is do nothing, beg your allies for help and just hope that some time in the distant future things may work out.

Lawrence A. Wiegman Orlando, Fla.

Hooray, Paul Seabury! Finally, someone states publicly what this nation is in need of—common sense. He is saying what this family of middle-class America has been saying too: We'll put up with dirtier air, even dirtier intelligence tactics and less than saintly politicians if, in exchange, we can have lower unemployment, respect from other nations and a strong leadership.

Jeri Slevin Portland, Ore.

Has it occurred to any of these wise heads that the Soviets may not be as soft on us as we were on them? That they may not give us time to catch up? That they may very well decide to sink us while we are the weaker ship?

Dorothy M. Bayles Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Failed Mission

As a European, I am glad that President Carter has at last had the courage to try a military solution to the hostage crisis in Iran [May 12]. No doubt, in the aftermath of the abortive raid, he will be branded as "inept" more than ever before.

But the failure of the raid was not his fault. It had a good chance of succeeding, and he should be admired for taking a positive stance. The first battle is often lost before final victory is attained.

Brian W.J. Gravenor Southampton, England