Not only has Dr. Sakharov been condenmed for almost 2 years now to internal exile in Gorky. but also his private research materials and manuscripts apparently have been taken from himand thus his work -and. as he has put it. his "memory" in the field to which he has been dedicated throughout his professional life. Now. in addition to these difficulties. he suffers from the conviction that because of his own position the Soviet authorities are denying a visa that would permit Liza Alekseyeva to join her husband. Dr. Sakharovs stepson. in the United States. Dr. Sakharov and his wife have undertaken a hunger strike. as the only means they have available to them to press the Soviet authorities to grant their request for a visa for Liza Alekseyeva. They are now reportedly in a hospital and perhaps being forcefed. These grave conditions strike us first as a cause for serious humanitarian concern and sympathy.