Speech #920206680

This provision is particularly timely. in light of the Presidents expected visit to Moscow. I think it is essential that the President talk facetoface with Soviet leaders about the treatment of Soviet Jews. for this will show these officials that Americans are truly concerned about the welfare of Soviet Jewry. The resolution also calls upon the President to request of the Soviet Government that it allow its citizens the right to emigrate to the countries of their choice. as affirmed by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The Jews in Russia are struggling to maintain their cultural and religious identity in an atmosphere of suppression. The tragedy of this situation is compounded by the Soviet Governments refusal to grant its citizens the right to emigrate to countries where religious and cultural diversity are tolerated. Yet. just as they are not permitted to exercise their religion and sustain their cultural identity in the Soviet Union. they are. at the same time. being denied the right to leave the very society that is stifling them. There are some who have had the good fortune to be allowed to leave Russiain 1970. less than 1.000 Jews emigrated from Russia. in 1971 roughly 13.000 emigrated. and this year it is estimated that. if the current rate of emigration is maintained. 30.000 Jews will be permitted to leave the Soviet Union. Most Soviet Jews who have expressed a desire to emigrate have indicated their strong wish to settle in a land where they are truly welcomedthe State of Israel. Israel. which is already heavily burdened with the cost of maintaining her own defenses. is now faced with the problem of absorbing the influx of Soviet Jews. Therefore. I am cosponsoring a bill to provide up to $85 million in assistance to Israel in the resettlement of those Soviet Jews who are granted the right to emigrate. Finally. the resolution calls on the State Department to raise in the General Assembly of the United Nations the issue of the Soviet Unions transgression of the Declaration of Human Rights. a declaration adopted unanimously by the United Nations. I believe that the United Nations is an appropriate forum for raising this issue of international concern. for it is a body that was organized to promote peaceful relations between nations as well as personal liberty within nations.