Eastern right
Sir: I was interested to read the reactions of your Polish readers to 'Spectators for Poland' (9 December), and in par- ticular the remark by Stanislaw Plewako from Warsaw that there has been a 're- naissance in conservative thought' in Po- land. This confirms the experience of the Salisbury Review in Czechoslovakia.
The Salisbury Review has a regular Czech language edition, translated and published underground in Prague. Vaclav Havel, leader of Civic Forum; Jan Carno- gursky, the Slovak lawyer who only two weeks ago was standing trial in Bratislava on a charge of subversion, and is now Civic Forum's candidate for deputy Prime Minis- ter; and Cardinal Tomasek, Archbishop of Prague, have all contributed to the Review.
We also enjoy the distinction of being the only British magazine whose subscrip- tion forms have found their way into the Prague Police Museum, where they form part of a display representing a 'Western intellectual' dedicated to the overthrow of the Socialist Republic.
In rebuilding their institutions, and in deciding on the values which will underpin them, the Czechoslovaks will need en- couragement and guidance. The Left in Western Europe is giving it, and have rushed in where the naturally more reticent conservative still fears to tread.
It is very important that the arguments of conservatism are made and its values promoted in Central Europe. The Salis- bury Review would like to follow the example of 'Spectators for Poland', and offer readers of The Spectator the chance to open a half-price subscription (£7 p.a.) on behalf of individuals in Czechoslovakia, or indeed anywhere in the Eastern bloc.
James de Candole
Deputy Editor, The Salisbury Review, 43 Queen's Gardens, London W2.
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