Mr. Chairman. the representatives eloquent statement might well have included as an additional motivating cause the desire to practice religion freely. This is the dominant and fervent goal of the Jews of the Soviet Union who want to emigrate to Israel. The fact is that they cannot worship freely in the Soviet Union today. The American representative also said in his speech: It is heartening to note that there has been a substantial modification of restrictions on emigration of Soviet Jews and that an increasing number of those desiring to move to other countries have been permitted to do so in the past months. This is a positive trend which should be encouraged and continued. We would urge that remaining restrictions on emigration and travel be eased so that all Soviet citizens who wish to exercise their right to freedom of movement may be permitted to do so. Mr. Chairman. it is in support of the hope of the American representative that I would urge the adoption of the Rees bill. to encourage the Soviet Union to move in the direction of freedom of emigration. The bill is not inflexible. It maintains the right and the discretion in the President by giving him the authority "when the national interest warrants unrestricted exports to a foreign country" to permit such unrestricted exports.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration