Speech #920201183

Reliable reports indicate that the Jewish minority in the Soviet Union continues to be subjected daily to religious and cultural repression. The Soviet authorities habitually harass the Jewish minority. Complex and restrictive requirements are imposed on the right of Russian Jews to emigrate. Mail from outside the Soviet Union to Russian Jews is delayed for long periods of time and quite often discontinued completely. Jewish synagogues have been closed and currently only 60 still remain open with approximately half of these located in nonEuropean sections of the Soviet Union where less than 10 percent of the total Jewish populace resides. Soviet Jews have no Jewish libraries or social centers to enjoy. No Jewish newspaper. either in Yiddish or Russian. exists. To summarize briefly. the 3 million Jewish men and women in the Soviet Union are being subjected to a systematic policy of "spiritual extermination." I would urge that our Department of State change its reluctance to discuss this question and make every effort to impress this issue upon the Soviet Government. especially as to the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate to countries of their choice as affirmed by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. In addition. I believe it is quite urgent that President Nixon discuss this crucial issue with high Soviet officials in Moscow this May. since an omission to stress the plight of Soviet Jews would be an indirect indication that the U.S.