Mr. President. in deciding to halt group travel of Soviet Jewish emigrants. the Government of Austria has blotted its copy book. This regrettable action is all the more surprising since Austria up to now has been rendering great service. not just to Soviet Jewish emigrants. but to all mankind. by providing a hospital waystation in the journey of Soviet Jews from the Soviet Union. In performing as a Good Samaritan. Austria has acted on behalf of people of good will throughout the world who are deeply concerned about human rights. That Austria of all countries should now decide to pass by on the other side of the road under the threat of international banditry is especially dismaying. What is happening now to Soviet Jewish emigrants suggests an ominous parallel with the general indifference that the nations of the world displayed before World War II to providing refuge to the victims of Nazi racial persecution. The fate of the millions who perished as a result of this indifference must forever rest on the conscience of all mankind. It is alarming. therefore. that in this increasingly interdependent world where no man is an island. a tendency of unconcern and lack of commitment to humanitarian values is again developing.
Keywords matched
emigrants