Bolster science's eastern promise

I fully agree with the objectives set out in Dorothy Zinberg's fine article "Science can give security" (THES, May 30), in which she argues that Nato should support basic science in the 25 former communist countries in eastern Europe.

If this is to succeed then it will require the full cooperation of the government concerned and here a fresh commitment is needed.

In such countries as Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania and Latvia, you will find a few research institutes doing excellent work, usually in contrast to the very poorly equipped universities. The salaries of all university staff, and even medical doctors, are pathetic.

This leads not only to a brain drain but also to a reluctance for the talented youth to embark on lengthy degree courses. The feeling of academic isolation might be relieved by resorting to the Internet, but the librarians and others who would staff the facilities can barely live on their salaries, which are even lower than those of the academics.

The governments of the countries I have visited seem to be at best neutral to the situation I describe. Sometimes they are even opposed to attempts to help, as exemplified by your article in the same issue on how the Soros Foundation in Belarus was forced to suspend all operations after its local bank accounts were impounded to pay a $2.9 million fine imposed by the tax authorities.

The first priority is surely to enable the talented academics to work and teach in eastern Europe so that they are not forced to emigrate in order to follow their professions.

If we fail in this objective, then no amount of money will recreate the conditions we desire. For our objective to succeed, we need governments to share our common commitment enthusiastically.

Peter Campbell, Department of biochemistry and molecular biology, University College London