Speech #930141571

Mr. Speaker. not long ago. I journeyed to the Soviet Union at my own expense to present the case for freedom of emigration for all Soviet citizens. but most particilarly for the Soviet Jews. At that time. I met with Andrey Verein. Director of the Office of Visas and Registration. I was the first Member of the House of Representatives who was admitted to see him to discuss the matter of Soviet emigration rights. As a result of my specific intercession subsequent to that. I was able to obtain an exit visa for Matvei Weig. who is now a resident of Israel. Publicity over his case has brought to my attention the case of Hersh Gutman. who is still trapped within the Soviet Union. Mrs. Faina Gutman. his mother. wrote to me from Israel saying that their whole family. including Hersh. were granted permission to emigrate In 1972. However. at the last minute Hershs permission was denied. His amily left. hoping that he would soon join them. Sadly. he has not done so as yet. He remains another victim of the inhuman Soviet emigration policy. Recently. I and 20 of my colleagues sent a letter to Premier Kosygin urging him to grant Hersh an exit visa. No reply has been forthcoming. At a time when we are considering establishing special trade relations with the Soviet Union. we must ask ourselves if we can do this in good conscience. knowing that the basic civil and humanitarian rights of individuals are daily being denied by the Soviet regime. No trade concession. no special treatment. no mostfavorednation status should be granted the Soviet Union as long as they maintain the severe restrictions on emigration for their people. We must use our economic power to force a change in this policy which denies basic rights that are afforded every other citizen of the world. I urge my colleagues to oppose any trade bill that does not have the provisions of the MillsVanik bill in it. These provisions would make a force emigration policy a prerequisite. in order for the trade bill to become operative.