Mr. President. recently we in Congress have shared a deep concern for the plight of Soviet Jews who are denied religiouscultural freedoms by the Soviet Government. The Presidents forthcoming trip to the Soviet Union provides a unique opportunity for voicing American concern with the problems of Soviet Jews. in the hope that the Soviet leadership will alter some of its rigid policies and further increase the number of Jews allowed to emigrate. We have seen from past experience that the Kremlin is not insensitive to international public pressure and criticism and often wishes. to avoid embarrassment in the international sphere. I refer specifically to the string of trials which began with the December 1970 Leningrad trial. International public outrage and diplomatic protests regarding the death sentences pressured the Soviet Government into commuting the death sentences. This was indeed a victory. Since that date we have seen other responsive actions by the Soviet Union. specifically regarding the emigration of Soviet Jews. However. we still cannot overlook the conditions under which the Jewish community in the Soviet Union lives. As concerned individuals we must continue to keep the problem of Soviet Jews within the realm of public attention. otherwise conditions could conceivably deteriorate.
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emigrate emigration