Mr. President. in addition to the issue of the flouting of congressional authority and stated intent. there are several other issues which need to be addressed at this time concerning loans to the Soviet Union. Restrictive and repressive Soviet emigration practices. the increasing evidence of Soviet persecution of scientists and intellectuals with the attendant denial of the most basic human rights. the Soviet role in the Middle East war and in the Arab oil embargo. and the effect our credit and technology in domestic fields will have on Soviet military strength and the balance of military power in the world all deserve careful attention. In regard to the Soviet application for a $49.5 million loan for the exploration of gasfields in eastern Siberia. it seems to me we should ask to what extent we think we could ever rely upon the Soviet Union to fulfill its commitments without using oil and gas as a political weapon. I think we must also ask if we could not much more wisely spend such money for energy exploration and development at home.
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emigration