Speech #920303378

I previously made a statement in favor of this legislation. I would like to add today. as the amendment is submitted. that I feel that the Senator from Washington and the other Senators who have cosponsored this amendment have taken a very important step in making clear to the Soviet Union the position of the United States on this most important issue. It is intolerable for the Government of the Soviet Union to treat Soviet Jews who want to emigrate from that country in such a barbaric fashion. The United States will not sit idly by as Soviet leaders treat human beings as commodities for export and attempt to barter them for corn or wheat. I am particularly disturbed by the tax that has been applied to educated Jews who wish to leave the Soviet Union. As a matter of fact. most of the money that is used to pay this tax comes from wealthy Jews in the United States who are relatives or friends of those Soviet Jews who are trying to emigrate. It seems to me. despite the fact that I support very strongly opening up trade with the Soviet Union. that it is wrong for the United States to be extending credits to the Soviet Union and at the same time to be allowing that nation to blackmail American citizens who must send money to Russia to pay the tax in order that Soviet citizens may emigrate to other nations. Hopefully. Mr.