Letter: U.S. defense a forgotten issue

Monday, April 24, 2000 | 8:58 a.m.

News flash: "The Russian Army, armed with neutron weapons, has annihilated the conventionally armed U.S./NATO forces in Yugoslavia and has announced that it will do the same to all remaining NATO forces in Europe unless we comply with Moscow's demands."

Imagine the dumbfounded shock and disbelief of the American people on learning that either of these terrible scenarios had become reality. Worse yet, consider the prospect of both of these scenarios (or any number of equally horrific possibilities) occurring at the same time, as part of a coordinated Beijing-Moscow strategy.

Impossible? By no means. In fact, it is very probable that one day the United States, which has unilaterally divested itself of battlefield nuclear weapons, will be confronted by Russia and/or Red China brandishing these same weapons. In which case, we will lose -- utterly and ignominiously.

What is perhaps most appalling about this dire situation is that in this presidential election year not a single candidate for our highest office has even mentioned this grave peril to our national security. It would appear that national security and defense have been relegated to "nonissue" status by the political powers that be. This is nothing less than a wholesale, national flight from reality. And it is a very grim and lethal reality that cannot be escaped by delusion, denial and wishful thinking.

FRANK M. PELTESON