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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 9, 1992                   TAG: 9201090635
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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DON'T LET DOWN OUR DEFENSES

ALL AMERICANS hope for stability in the region of the former Soviet Union, and the emergence of a form of political and governmental control which is democratic in nature, respectful of individual freedom and human rights, cooperates in the world community of nations, and poses no threat, nuclear or otherwise, to world peace.

However, let us remember that the end of the U.S.S.R. is causing major political, social and economic change in the former union, and that the upheaval will pose a number of problems. Among them: the question of control of the nuclear arsenal which is dispersed throughout the Soviet Union; the danger of civil unrest due to the chaotic economic situation; and the possibility of political struggle among the former republics - even the danger of civil war.

This potentially explosive situation is combined with the threats posed by the Saddam Husseins of our world, the growing availability of nuclear weapons to terrorists, and the fact that China, North Korea, Vietnam and Cuba are still run by communist dictatorships with no evidence of a lessening of communist control.

All of these are major reasons why the United States cannot afford to drastically reduce its military and defense posture. After all, we are the only superpower left in the world, and the only nation capable of thwarting threats to world peace. Our nation must retain viable and deterrent military forces in this still dangerous world. ROBERT L. BOWEN Commander, Department of Virginia The American Legion RICHMOND

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