I am profoundly skeptical about Russia. Like everyone in this Chamber. I deplore the denial of human rights and free emigration which has characterized the Russian regime from time to time. Any Communist country which does not have walls and barbed wire at its borders is likely to be diminished thereby. particularly with respect to its intelligentsia. The emigration tax is part of that wall and that barbed wire. and there are. of course. many other devices available to an authoritarian regime to prevent emigration. This measure looks only to the emigration tax as a condition of trade negotiations. Peace in the world depends on two things: American strength. and the encouragement of a climate in which progress can occur. Americans are sick of confrontations. and there is plenty of evidence that the Russians are sick of it. also. when the risks are so high.
Identified stereotypes
Communist countries without border walls will be diminished, especially with respect to their intelligentsia.