Letters.(Letter to the Editor)

Holding Mother Russia Together

Our May 7 story on Vladimir Putin prompted mixed reviews about the Russian leader. "Putin's ideals could be dangerous if it means sacrificing individual freedom," said one reader. "Putin is at least holding Russia together and preventing it from sliding into chaos," dissented another. A few criticized us for an "alarmist" article. "The examples you give of Putin's oppression are nothing like that of the Soviets," one argued. "I'm disappointed to see you resort to distorted truisms."

The Return of Soviet Values?

Your article on Vladimir Putin was excellent ("Comrade Putin's New Russia," EUROPE, May 7). Whatever one's opinion of Putin, he is at least holding Russia together and preventing it from sliding into dangerous chaos. His only real disastrous mistake is the continued war in Chechnya. In the same issue, your interview with Mikhail Gorbachev was a delight to read ("Gorbachev on His Legacy," INTERVIEW). It was Gorbachev who, in reality, brought freedom to Eastern Europe, German reunification, the downfall of Romania's hated Ceaucescu and democracy to Russia.

Dominic Shelmerdine

London, England

Your article on Putin was colored by the usual American angst about anything that might develop into an alternative to the American way or U.S. leadership. Many of the facets of Russian life that are criticized by the West exist in the States and its allied countries, too. It is no surprise that Gorbachev and Yeltsin are favored in the West. They broke up the Soviet Union and brought Russia to its knees-and to the sullen compliance that comes with dependence on the begging bowl. Putin is getting flak because some people in the West see him as trying to make Russia proud and get back on its feet. The fact is that many outside the West are uncomfortable with the prospect of a unipolar world order dominated by the United States, the EU and expanding NATO legions. They prefer the choices that come with a multipolar world order. Three cheers to Putin if he can bring it about.