Finally. in the face of such determination and the pressure of public opinion. Soviet authorities opened the door a crack. In 1971. approximately 15.000 Soviet Jews were allowed to emigrate. This year. if the current rate of departure is continued. it is estimated that about 30.000 Jews will leave the Soviet Union. I would like to caution you. however. about miscontruing the previous statistics concerning emigration of Soviet Jews. In many ways the situation for Jews in the Soviet Union is more serious than before President Nixons recent trip. In spite of the very real risks involved. somewhere between 250.000 and 300.000 Jews have officially sought to leave the Soviet Union. It is estimated that by the end of the year the number will be much higher. At the present rate of emigration it will take a minimum of 10 years for the number of persons who have already applied to get out. Keep in mind that most people are fired from their jobs as soon as they begin the application process. Soviet authorities have been granting exit visas without regard to the order of application. Granting of exit visas is heavily weighted against persons from cities such as Moscow or Kiev and persons who have a high level of education or technical training. Scientists. in particular. have been singled out for repressive treatment. On the other hand. less skilled people from Georgia receive visas with ease. In recent weeks there has been an increase in the number of arrests and trials involving Jews thoughout the Soviet Union including Moscow. Riga.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration visas