Letters to the Editor

On Bears and Eagles...

To the Editors:

With great shock, I read your editorial “Don’t Pooh-Pooh the Russian Bear” (Russian Life, Feb. 1997). Do you honestly believe that NATO is directed against Russia? That the US and Europeans allies will spend billions and billions of dollars and countless human lives simply to invade your country?

Mr. Ivanov, Eastern European countries need NATO’s protection because they are tired of continual bullying by the Russians. And here I do not only mean the 40 years of communist occupation, but:

1. Russia’s plans to incorporate the independent European country of Belarus. You wrote about a referendum; do you really believe that a non-democratic country can conduct an honest referendum? Why doesn’t Russia just leave Belarus alone?

2. Russia refuses to sign border treaties with Latvia and Estonia, on top of which, Russia refuses to return big chunks of occupied territory to the above countries.

3. Russia constantly treats Eastern European and CIS countries as within its sphere of influence. These countries have the right to decide to which civil and military organizations they wish to belong.

There are many more examples of Russia’s pervasive influence in other countries. Is it so difficult to understand that no one believes in Russia’s “good intentions?” No one in Europe wants to have your country as an enemy. Russian trade and know-how is widely needed. But the Bear has to change, she has to abandon her military tendencies and become a friendly economical power like Japan! Let’s work together towards a peaceful future through cooperation.

Paul Matusewicz

Mountlake Terrace, WA

To the Editors:

I would certainly hope the American people remember the sacrifices borne by the Russian people in WWII. Without their help we, the Western Allies, would have had an extremely difficult invasion of the European continent.

I feel the Russian people and the American people are natural allies.

Sincerely,

R.S. Stewart

Paw Paw, MI

To the Editors:

In [Mr. Ivanov’s] editorial, “Don’t Pooh-Pooh this Bear”, you present the opinion that the fate of Russia will “...depend on what kind of treatment the waking Russian bear gets from the American ‘eagle’”.

Would you care to elaborate on this concluding remark of your editorial? Just what kind of “treatment” should American give to Russia?

Your answer will be of interest.

Sincerely,

James R. Bauernschmidt

Severna Park, MD

Dear James,

Mr. Ivanov is reluctant to have the final word on this debate, but does offer some elaboration in his editorial at left.

– The Editors

Preserving Cavalry Traditions

To the Editors:

I just received the Feb. 1997 issue of Russian Life, and was very interested in the article about the 11th Cavalry Regiment. With the morale of the Russian Army at low ebb, perhaps such a unit could be moved to Moscow or St. Petersburg to become a ceremonial unit reflecting the old cavalry traditions of the Imperial Army, much like the two regiments of Household Cavalry in the modern British Army which are operational units as well as ceremonial.

Old unit titles such as the Third Elizavetgradski Hussar Regiment of Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna (founded 1764) or the Eighth Voznesenski Lancer Regiment of Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolavena (founded 1812) could be resurrected and the old Review Order uniforms restored.

There is a wealth of traditions and pageantry in the old Russian Army which many Russian soldiers are probably not aware of. Perhaps the Defense Ministry could be approached as regards this suggestion. Keep up the good work!

William L. McCaughey

Centreville, VA

Geneology Research

Dear Readers,

Many of you have written us with specific requests for help in tracking down family roots. While we cannot offer specific assistance, we can advise you that the forthcoming, August issue of Russian Life will feature an article on practicalities of Geneological Research in Russia.

– The Editors