President Nixon has urged Chancellor Kreisky to reconsider his decision "on humanitarian grounds and on geopolitical grounds of the highest order." but the Austrian Government is standing firm on its decision which amounts to yielding to terrorist demands. I believe that the TTnited States should redouble its efforts to persuade the Austrian Government to rescind the order closing Schoenau. The center has played a vital role in the processing and orientation of thousands of Jews who have chosen to emigrate from the Soviet Union to seek a life free from religious oppression in the State of Israel. The closing of the center is regarded by many Arab groups as a victory for terrorism and will only serve to encourage other acts of violence. If one set of demands is acceded to. other terrorist activities leading to yet further demands will surely follow. Therefore. I am introducing a senseoftheCongress resolution today which would request the President. through formal and informal contacts with foreign officials. to call upon the Austrian Government to allow the processing center at Schoenau to continue to operate. In addition. it would urge all governments to take whatever actions are necesary to permit and facilitate the travel of refugees. I will be sending out a "Dear Colleague" letter urging my colleagues in the House to join with me in this resolution expressing our belief in the need for further affirmative action by the United States. I feel that my resolution would serve as an appropriate vehicle for an expression of congressional concern in this matter.
Keywords matched
emigrate refugees