I DIDN’T think it would be necessary to enter into tedious history lessons to suggest that extreme political dictatorships should be equally denounced.

However, Tim Siret (Viewpoints, October 2) is sadly suggesting that counting Russian dead should justify some good in Stalin and his communist dictatorship.

I’m sure he wouldn’t see much good in Hitler’s fascist dictatorship, any more that I could see much good in Stalin’s dictatorship. I’m not sure the estimated 20 million Russian and Ukranian civilians who perished under Stalin’s orders in gulag labour camps and politically-contrived famines would see much good in him either.

Let’s stop all this letter sparring and agree that totalitarian dictatorships of both left and right be equally condemned, as they all deny the basic freedoms of choice, expression, travel and the right to elect governments, which we enjoy and take for granted.

We should also be eternally thankful that the demise of communist dictatorships in eastern Europe didn’t require another European war and that millions of people now also enjoy the freedoms that we have.

Having said that, it seems that Russia has some ground to make up, as Mr Putin has apparently jailed a young female rock band for singing a song he didn’t appreciate. Perhaps he hasn’t forgotten his KGB background!

Finally, there is plenty to worry about and debate in our current circumstances.

IAN CUMMINGS Gibson Close Abingdon