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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, DECEMBER 16, 1983
PAGE 7
introduction of the Pershing II missile and soon, the cruise missile, is
instead causing division. Many West Germans seem to be asking "Why us?"
when they realize that the 108 Pershings are destined only for the Federal
Republic. The French detect a German restlessness in the heart of Europe,
aggravated by the potential of a tempting offer of German reunification
from the only nation that can make that possible, the Soviet Union.
Soviet military predominance in Europe already seems to be producing an
intimidating effect. This in turn produces concern in influential quarters
in the United States. Is defending an allegedly ungrateful Europe worth
the expense? Let the Europeans defend themselves, even if we have to sell
them the weapons--even nuclear weapons--to do so! So goes the reasoning in
some circles.
This viewpoint was expressed succinctly by THE NEW YORK
TIMES token conservative columnist, William Safire, in that paper's
November 13, 1983 edition. He was angered by lack of European support for
the U.S. action in Grenada. The time might be ripe to consider drawing down
U.S. forces in Europe which, he claimed, were now nothing but "nuclear
hostages."
In Europe...President Reagan's decision to prevent further
Communist penetration of this hemisphere [ meaning Grenada] has
met with disapproval from what we thought were our most reliable
allies.••. The lesson is that our NATO partners are interested
exclusively in having the United States defend Europe and are
resentful of any action the U.S. takes elsewhere to protect its
own security.••• The Euro-isolationists demand the right to be
protected by American troops and America's nuclear umbrella while
reserving the right to undermine American security everywhere
else. That removes the "mutual" from mutual defense...•
If that is the case•••the time is coming for an independent
European defense, with the U.S. offering for sale the latest
intermediate missi� but not the rental of our troops.•••
"Wayward sisters, depart inpeace," HoraceGreeley told the
seceding states.
As Western Europeans turn inward, the U.s.
should wish them well and look to its own vital interests.
Another conservative analyst, Ernest van den Haag, in a June 24, 1983
NATIONAL REVIEW article entitled "Should We Bring Home the Troops?" came up
with similar conclusions to those of Mr. Safire.
A reasonable American policy commensurate with our actual
ability, the costs we are willing to bear, and the risks we are
willing to run...should be as follows: We should indicate to our
allies that we will withdraw our troops except for those needed
to man bases and perform technical tasks of common interest. We
should set a reasonable timetable for carrying out this
policy•.•. While no longer their protector, we will continue as
their ally, and will send troops if and when requested and neces
sary to aid in the defeat of Soviet expansion. But Europe (or
Japan) should be as capable of self-defense as Israel is.
Further, we should make available to our allies theater nuclear
weapons. -They shouldbe under theircontrol, not ours. Our
allies must decide where to position them and when to use them.