Bronia Chernoglaz. and former Soviet prisoner. Aharon Shpilberg. visited us here in Washington a few months ago. describing to the members of the New York State congressional delegation. the harassment and persecution of those Jews seeking to leave Russia. Shortly thereafter. 90 of my colleagues joined me in petitioning Secretary Brezhnev to live up to the promises made by the Soviet Union to start adopting a more liberal. responsible policy towards Jewish immigration. The Soviet Embassy refused to acknowledge receipt of that petition. shedding additional light on their shortsighted. irresponsible attitude toward this humanitarian Issue. It is essential that we maintain a strong stand in support of the VanikJackson amendment. denying mostfavorednation status to the Soviet Union until that government relaxes its oppressive emigration policies. While there has been some opposition to this measure. there have been many more voices expressing continued strong support. The Soviets insist that their policies toward the Jewish citizens of the U.S.S.R. are none of our concern. that this is an internal matter in which we should not be meddling. But freedom and the right to emigrate are the concerns of free men and women everywhere and especially here in our great Nation. The internal affairs allegation has been used to mask many a major campaign of oppression in the history of the world. Back in 1869.
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emigrate immigration emigration