Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to join with 237 of my colleagues in cosponsoring Representative VANIKs bill to provide for freedom of emigration as a condition to EastWest trade. It is indeed unfortunate that legislation such as this is necessary. But. since the Soviet Government is still harassing its Jewish population by continuing to impose exorbitant visa fees based on the level of the persons education. passage of this bill is crucial. In fact. the Soviet Union has now formalized this policy by 2 weeks ago publishing the exit rates in their official records. The education taxes go up to $18.000 per person depending upon the level of education attained by an intended emigrant. Whatever the reasons are for this latest form of discrimination. it is obvious that the Russians are desperately seeking to end emigration of the educated Jews. The only hope of rescinding the tax is if massive political and economic pressure can be mounted in the West. This is what we. as Members of Congress must do to stop this barbaric ransom of humans. These Soviet Jews have no intention of paying the ransom. They feel that if the initial money is paid. there will be no limit to the further demands made on these Jews before they can obtain their visas. There must. therefore. be economic reprisals against the Soviet Union. We must make it clear to the Russians that they will receive credits and new trade deals only if these new visa restrictions are removed. I will not vote for any new trade concessions for the Soviet Union. and I do not see how many Members of Congress can. in good conscience. do so either. as long as these high fees are imposed on persons wishing to emigrate. If the Russians will not bow to world public opinion. perhaps they will submit to economic pressure. Congress has the power and special constitutional responsibilities in this area.
Keywords matched
emigration visa emigrant emigrate visas