Speech #920286858

Mr. Celler. for taking this special order. as we celebrate the new Jewish year of 5733 we must again reflect on the conditions of Jews in the Soviet Union. We have recently learned that the Soviet Union is going to require all those who wish to emigrate to pay retroactively for the cost of their education. At an estimated cost of between $5.000 and $25.000. this is nothing more or less than ransom. The right to emigrate is one of the basic freedoms guaranteed by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The Soviet Constitution. as well. provides for a free education for all of its citizens. I have written to the United Nations Human Rights Commission to protest this new attack on basic human freedoms. The issue of Soviet Jewry has been raised in the court of world opinion and we must do all that we can to keep it before that body. There is a considerable amount of economic intercourse going on between the Soviet Union and the United States these days. and the Russian government is obviously anxious to increase it even more. I would have serious reservations about granting them special trade treatment and providing the $5 billion in investment guarantees that American corporations are seeking through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for investment in the Soviet Union if they are going to attempt to extort money from Jews who desire to emigrate. I very much favor increased trade with the Soviet Union. I think that it is an important way of increasing our understanding of one another. but such antics as seeking to ransom Jews give me pause. I do hope that the Soviet government will reconsider this illadvised policy and agree to abide by the guarantees of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights and the Soviet Constitution by permitting emigration by those who desire to leave. We must remember that in addition to those Jews who wish to emigrate there are many who wish to identify as Jews but remain in the Soviet Union. However. free access to Jewish language. cultural. religious and educational institutions and publications. which flourished during the early years of the Soviet government. barely exist today. The practice of religious freedom is supposedly allowed under Soviet law. but in actuality. unlike other recognized religious groups.