“I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” That statement, made by Winston Churchill in a broadcast Oct. 1, 1939, applies today in the actions of the Soviet Union in prolonging its suspension of nuclear missile negotiations at Geneva. In talks aimed at reducing medium-range nuclear weapons in Europe -‘ a subject of transcendent importance to global peace and security – the Soviets could have forestalled a Xshowdown with the NATO nations with some give-and-take. NATO had decided in 1979 to begin deployment of United States missiles in five European countries in December of this year to counter Soviet missiles already in place, in case agreements could not be reached. But the Russians turned down President Reagan’s “zero option” plan to eliminate deployment on both sides, and rejected several later proposals to break the stalemate. Then, when the NATO deadline came and the first missiles began to arrive in Britain and West Germany, the USSR “discontinued” talks, as it had threatened to do. Equally disappointing, President Yuri V. Andropov said the Soviet Union will increase its nuclear weapons at sea, on its own soil, and in Eastern Europe, along with other measures to insure the security of the Soviets and their allies. On an issue so grave as nuclear war, which could affect the very future of civilization, the world has a right to expect more from the leaders of nuclear nations than such threats of force. Russia’s breaking off the Geneva talks has been widely deplored across the world. NATO countries have urged the Soviets to return to the negotiating table. West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and French President Francois Mitterrand jointly appealed to the USSR quickly to resume the talks. President Reagan seems reasonably hopeful the Soviets will retum, as he has strongly urged. Pope John Paul ll called for prayers “that the road of dialogue does not remain closed.” Leaders at the 48-nation Commonwealth summit at Panaji, India signed a declaration demanding the superpowers resume discussions aimed at “bringing peace to the world.” U.S. negotiator Paul H. Nitze has assured that the U.S. is ready to halt or reverse missile deployment if both sides agree to reduce or remove medium-range nuclear missile forces in Europe – certainly a reasonable offer. While going ahead with plans to “achieve operational deployment,” Britain also has promised to halt any missile installation if an arms accord is reached. Thus the door is wide open for Russia to return to serious negotiations. The world expects and is entitled to this and to see the superpowers produce the statesmanship necessary to reach agreements that will end the ridiculous arms race and remove the terrible threat of nuclear holocaust.