Mr. Speaker. later today the President will embark upon a trip to Moscow. ostensibly to further the cause of detente between this country and the Soviet Union. However. the foundation upon which detente is being created is seriously jeopardized by the attitude of the Soviet Government toward the Jewish minority In the U.S.S.R. and. in particular. by the illconceived moves taken to stifle the voices of legitimate dissent in the Jewish community and to deny the freedom of emigration to many Jewish citizens. The outrageous action of the Soviet Union in arbitrarily arresting and imprisoning some 50 persons associated with the movement to provide freedom for Soviet Jews a few days in advance of Mr. Nixons visit is a blatant violation of basic human rights and deserves the strongest possible condemnation by our leaders. Silence on this pressing issue cannot be maintained and a meaningful detente cannot be achieved if the Soviets persist in these untoward acts which defy international agreements to which both of our countries are parties. On the broader issue of freedom of emigration and the protection of the basic rights of Soviet Jews. the United States must make its position crystal clear to Secretary Brezhnev and his officials. The Presidents Journey would be a most appropriate occasion during which this pressing matter could be fully aired with Soviet leaders with a view toward securing a meaningful commitment that the longstanding campaign of harrassment and intimidation of the Soviet Jews will cease and that they will be guaranteed the right to travel freely and to emigrate to other lands should they so desire. Yesterday. 39 of our colleagues joined with me in writing to the President. urging him to raise the issue of the status of Soviet Jews with Communist Party Secretary Brezhnev and to express the deep concern of this country over the problem of the Jews emigration rights. I want to thank this bipartisan group for joining in the letter to the President and I insert it herewith for inclusion in the RECORD:
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration