Speaker. we have seen the way the Soviet Union treats dissidents. Intellectuals who speak their mind are shunted away to mental institutions or sentenced to labor camps. Jews and other minorities who wish to emigrate are fired from their jobs and harassed by the state. Dissent is viewed by the Kremlin as treason. "Americans have every reason to be outraged by the Soviet regimes blatant contempt for freedom." states a recent issue of the New Republic. adding "our selfrespect as individuals. if nothing else. commands us to speak out." But beyond our moral obligation as individuals. what right or responsibility do we have as a nation to adopt policies designed to influence another countrys conduct within its own borders? Are these matters. as the Soviets contend. strictly internal and none of our business? "The United States demeans itself and diminishes its international prestige when it turns its back on the norms of civility that are its tradition." says the New Republic. pointing out the leverage this country has with Soviet leaders. "It is not implausible to suppose that strong talk combined with shrewd bargaining would also improve the situation of the Soviet intellectuals." Mr.
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emigrate