GAUGE HIERARCHY, PLANCK-SCALE CORRECTIONS AND THE ORIGIN OF GUT SCALE IN SUPERSYMMETRIC (SU(3))3

Within a supersymmetric unified framework we explore the resolution of the gauge hierarchy problem taking account of the non-renormalizable terms in the superpotential For [SU(3)](3) supplemented by a discrete R-parity, we find the remarkable property that the vacuum configuration corresponding to the correct gauge symmetry breaking remains flat (in the supersymmetric limit) to all orders in M(Planck)(-1). The grand unification scale arises from an interplay of the Planck and supersymmetry breaking scales. An 'internal' Z(3) X Z(4) symmetry protects a pair of electroweak doublets from becoming superheavy, yielding at the same time the supersymmetric 'mu term' with the right order of magnitude. The Z(4) symmetry also acts as matter parity and eliminates the dangerous baryon number violating couplings.