Speech #930345819

I have decided not to offer the amendment. although I believe it should be kept in mind In case Congress wishes to adopt it later. particularly after the initial waiver period is ended. The performance expected of the Soviet Union is outlined in two letters exchanged between Senator JACKSON and Secretary Kissinger which are included in the report of the Finance Committee on the Trade Act. The Secretarys letter specifies. among other things. that punitive actions against individuals seeking to emigrate will not be permitted by the Soviet Government. that unreasonable and unlawful impediments will not be placed in the way of persons applying for emigration. that applications for emigration will be handled in order of receipt and on a nondiscriminatory basis. that persons in prison will be given for early release. and that the emigration tax will remain suspended. The Senators letter specifies the understanding of the sponsors of the Jackson amendment that conscription and the bringing of criminal charges against the person desiring to emigrate or his family is Included in the prohibited punitive actions. that the present requirement that adults must have the permission of their parents before their applications can be processed is an unreasonable impediment. that previous access to sensitive or classified information should not stand in the way of a person desiring to emigrate. and that the number of emigrants should reach and exceed 60.000 a year. There is. of course. no way to enumerate in advance all the various punitive or unreasonable measures which could be used in the future to discourage applications for emigration. Nor is there a formal governmenttogovernment agreement on the measures which have been enumerated. But it should be crystal clear to the Soviet Union that when Congress considers any renewal of the waiver.