Allied Victory in Mideast War

I found your March 1 editorial on the opportunities and challenges presented by peace in the Middle East to be both broad and thoughtful. Inexplicably, it omitted one of the most crucial issues facing the region which, if not addressed, could well thwart efforts made in any other sector.

I refer to the absolute necessity for some kind of regional security arrangement; sort of an inward-looking NATO. The obvious function of such a body would be to serve as a group bastion against territorial aggression against any nation in the region, whether from within or from outside.

Lacking such an umbrella, no undertaking there, no matter how needed or desirable, would have any guarantee of protection or completion. Such an arrangement would be the basis on which intermediate and long-range planning could be begun by all nations in, and affected by, the Middle East.

WILLIAM C. PRYOR

Cypress