I have just received and have in my possession the text of an instruction which is being broadcast by Tass Moscow and which will be reproduced in all the newspapers throughout the Soviet empire. I am sure the text of this instruction will be of great interest to the Members of the Senate. It reads: NEW YORKAccording to the American press. the subcommittee of the legal committee of the United States Senate has made a valuable admission concerning socalled refugees from Eastern Europe In Western Germany. On the basis of data of the American Intelligence Service. the subcommittee states that many of the refugees have in the past committed crimes or have been spies. These criminals who fled to the West are continuing their activities from new grounds. Mr. President. in order that the explanation of this matter may appear in the RECORD. I wish to state the facts. Information contained in a report made by the Senate Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Escapees and Refugees in Western Europe is thus being misused by the Soviet propaganda machine to blacken the name and slander the reputation of the people who are fleeing from behind the Iron Curtain in search of freedom and a decent way of life. The Soviet propaganda machine has seized upon two paragraphs in the report and has construed those paragraphs to be an allegation by a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary that refugees from Eastern Europe are largely criminals and spies. It is regrettable that the report submitted by the Subcommittee on Escapees and Refugees in Western Europe did not break down the categories of crime and the sources and nature of the charges. because under Soviet law. bordercrossing is a major crime. criticism of the government is a major crime. search for a better job is a major crime. changing ones job is a major crime. failure to bow down to the ruling authority is a crime. expression of dissatisfaction with hunger and starvation is a crime. Those who have committed the Soviet crime of escape to the free world are accused - of compounding that crime when they refuse to return. From the point of view of those of us who live under the system of liberty and freedom which prevails in the West. many of the offenses which are recorded against the people who have fled from behind the Iron Curtain are not considered crimes.
Identified stereotypes
Accusation that refugees from Eastern Europe are largely criminals and spies.