Volume 25, Number 21 & 22 · January 25, 1979
Taking Action
By Peter B. Reddaway
In response to K G B Psychiatry
(October 12, 1978)
To the Editors:
In your issue dated October 12 you printed my article about KGB psychiatry in which I criticized the American Psychiatric Association for having "apparently done nothing" over the Podrabinek case.
May I inform readers that soon after writing the article I received the text of a telegram to President Brezhnev from the APA, interceding for Mr. Podrabinek. This telegram was not publicized at the time, but may have contributed to his defense nonetheless.
Also, the APA has been playing an important role in pressing the World Psychiatric Association to set up an effective committee to monitor the political abuse of psychiatry in any country.
Peter Reddaway
The London School of
Economics and Political Science
London, England