Handling of Medvid Affair

Strong American sentiment backed by 65 U.S. senators and a majority of the Congress has condemned the handling and tragic outcome of the Miroslav Medvid affair. American law, honor, and decency have been dealt a severe blow.

The implications are dangerously clear: the State Department and the Administration for fear of “provoking an incident with the U.S.S.R.” can--and will in the future--subordinate U.S. laws and rights of individuals protected by the U.S. Constitution. The State Department with the support of President Reagan has decreed that this Soviet seaman’s rights are too insignificant to risk the Soviet grain agreement and the summit meeting. A new operating policy between the United States and the Soviets has surfaced, which in effect violates fundamental human rights whenever the apparent interests of the two superpowers may be at risk.

It is obvious that the value of human life and liberty plays an insignificant role in this nation’s foreign relations with the Soviet police state. America’s reputation and credibility among the world’s nations have been severely tarnished. These are dark days for America. What do we stand for anyway?

TONY MAZEIKA

Mission Viejo