To the Editor:
In view of recent events in the Middle East, fuel production situation, it is imperative that Americans contemplate the possibility, however distasteful, of exerting military pressure on the oil producing states, especially Saudi Arabia.
I recommend that the U.S. counter Arab threats with its own warnings: let the Saudis be told that we shall not tolerate production decreases and that, should they continue, we shall consider direct military intervention. This warning will probably suffice to convince the Saudis to allow the oil to flow unimpeded at stable prices. Should it not, we must be prepared, hopefully with western European and Japanese cooperation, to employ some 20th century gunboat diplomacy.
Of course, one hesitates to use such tactics, but the Arabs have deliberately politicized the oil question and it is not for us to ignore the powerful political options open to us in resolving this issue. We must dispel the preposterous idea that this super-power will allow denial of a vital commodity at the whim of desert sheikhs.
Yours respectfully,
Seth Castellani
142 Oxford St.
Cambridge, Ma. 02138
