To Russia with love

Sir, - Whether one calls it pusillanimity or political diplomacy, the pardoning of the five crew members of Russian origin, sentenced to life for their involvement in the Puralia arms-drop case, is bound to raise many eyebrows.

On the one hand, there were mercy petitions and on the other, there was an unofficial ``threat'' from Moscow that the Russian President's visit to India would not take place if the pilots were not released before October. Which had more impact on the President of India is a matter of conjecture.

Had some Indians done the same offence in Russia, do you think their government would have let them off like this?

P. G. Menon,

Chennai

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