kramer@utcsrgv.UUCP (Bryan M. Kramer) (09/06/83)
Since this involves a crime by the government, not the people, of the USSR, it does not make sense to punish the people by starving them or isolating them or reducing their standard of living (especially since the government has shown minimal interest in their people). A better response would be attempt to make the people less isolated, better fed, or have a better life. One could force this by tying the following restrictions on trade with the soviet union: 1) For every n bushels of grain shipped, y copies of interesting western literature must be distributed to the population (the literature to be chosen by our side). This should introduce the population to more perspectives on the world and encourage them to improve their government. 2) For every n bushels of grain shipped, y soviet citizens must be allowed to tour the Western world under only western supervision. 3) For every ... y disidents held in prisons or hospitals should be released to the Western world. All of these would counter the government's aims and not hurt the populace.