Speech #920303372

I fail to see what commensurate benefits they can desirefrom continued persecution of Soviet Jews even though it is estimated they would gather $500 to $600 million in hard currency. Besides. the Soviet leaders do not have to answer to aroused public opinion or a critical press when they shift policy direction. About 2 years ago the Russians began considering levying large sums of money on those seeking to emigrate. supposedly based on repayment of educational costs. This did not become a reality until this past August 15 when a schedule of high fees was imposed. It has yet to be rubberstamped by the Supreme Soviet. The fees run -from $5.000 to $30.000. but actually bear little relationship to actual education costs. Additionally. if there was a genuine concern about a brain drain. why are Soviet Jewish scientists who apply for emigration immediately dropped from their positions. Soviet Jewish leaders have indicated that they do not want this ransom to be paid. Once this is done they feel the Soviets will regress to even cruder forms of antiSemitism. While Soviet motives and rationalizations here are unclear. the practical results are that Soviet citizens seeking to leave Russia are being intimidated from doing so. and many young Jewish people have dropped out of school to avoid this tax. Two weeks ago I stood here in the Senate and warned that unless the head tax was dropped indignation and protest over this outrage would mount. Since then both in the Senate and in the other body numerous Members of both bodies on a bipartisan basis have given vent to their feelings on this subject. establishing a linkage with improved trade relations with the Soviet Union. Now we are going beyond verbal protests by pledging our support to an amendment which has teeth.