Unless the Soviet Union rescinds its recent ukase which places Soviet Jews and particularly Jewish scientists into a new form of 20th century bondage. all of the assumptions behind improved United StatesSoviet trade relations fail. When the United States supports increasing economic and commercial ties. we do so in the hope that these contacts act as moderating. civilizing influences on relations between nations. But the establishment of a schedule of exorbitant visa fees supposedly related to a persons education is a totally reprehensible form of extortion. At best it is a highly unusual method of gaining foreign exchange to hold ones citizens captive until ransom is paid by outside sources. The Soviet Unions placing of price tags on its statesupplied education is nothing more than another form of repression against its Jewish citizens and a vulgar attempt at blackmailing the world Jewish community into paying for each educated Jew seeking emigration from Russia. Soviet action in enacting emigration fees ranging from $5.000 to $25.000 goes beyond the usual cynicism expected from the Soviet Union. The transparency of the Soviet arguments that they are acting to recoup educational expenses provided by the state is hardly worth refuting. However. it suffices to say that all Soviet citizens. not only those of the Jewish faith. produce a great deal more than they consume.
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emigration visa