Speech #960167392

I spoke last May on behalf of Soviet "refuseniks" Boris Tsitlionok and Ida Nudel. Mr. Tsitlionok. denied a visa for "security reasons." was forced to stay behind in the Soviet Union when the rest of his family was told to leave for Israel in 1971. Later. in 1975. Mr. Tsitllonok was sentenced to 5 years of internal exile for raising a banner which said. "Let My People Go." It is good news that the Soviets are at last letting Mr. Tsitlionok go to Israel. Clearly. the force of world opinion is helping to loosen Soviet restrictions on emigration. But while we rejoice in the release of Mr. Tsitlionok. many others are still being denied the right. guaranteed by the Helsinki Agreements. to emigrate from the U.S.S.R. Ida Nudel. called the "Angel of Mercy" because of her tireless activities on behalf of Soviet prisoners of conscience. is still a prisoner. serving a 4year sentence because she hung a banner in her window asking permission to join her sister Elena in Israel. We must not relax our vigil until the right of free emigration for Soviet citizens is secured.0