Speech #930069858

Most importantly. I think we should strive for a Soviet commitment to the basic human rights and freedoms of all people. Realization of these freedoms. especially the freedom to emigrate. is essential to the Jewish communities of the Soviet Union. Such freedom should not be particular to some countries. It is a universal freedom. a human right. and it was agreed to by all of the member countries of the United Nationsincluding the Soviet Unionin the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theory must be practiced. We were all relieved somewhat in March when the Soviet Government announced suspension of the education or exit tax imposed on emigrating Soviet Jews. However. Soviet emigration practices still remain discriminatory and arbitrary. The Nixon administration. in its eagerness to set up the Brezhnev summit and to achieve quick passage of its trade bill. appears to be satisfied with Soviet assurances that high education taxes on emigrants have been suspended. But -ontrary to what the administration might think. the emigration problem is not solved. We must look beyond such obstacles as the education tax to the basic problemthe harassment of the Soviet Jews and the infringement on their freedom to emigrate. At this juncture. if Mr. Nixon and Mr. Brezhnev are so eager to establish better relations. particularly in the area of trade. we in the Congress should double our efforts to pass trade legislation incorporating freedom of emigration provisions. I have cosponsored and have been working actively for this legislation. because I feel it provides the kind of leverage we need to persuade the Soviet Government to adopt fair and unrestricted emigration policies. By prohibiting "most favored nation" status and other special trade treatment to any country which denies to its citizens the right to emigrate *or which imposes unreasonable restrictions on emigration. we are insisting that the terms of our trade with. the Soviet Union be equalthat the Soviets will get their goods if we can see a real decrease in the harassment of Soviet Jews as well as an increase in emigration application acceptances and in actual emigrations. We cannot forget the oppressed Jews in the Soviet Union. Yes. we have a responsibility based on our past record to fight for the rights of the Jews.