Even though we are not certain about the future status of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. we should not forget that despite the warnings of its leaders. the Soviet Union is very succeptible to outside pressures. After 30 years of building socialism. the U.S.S.R. cannot feed its own people. its standard of living is far below that of the West and otheir Eastern European nations. and its. industry is dependent on Western technology and science. The U.S.S.R. needs foreign trade. and I think if we continue to press for reforms in emigration policy we may gain some concessions. Not great ones. but every person freed and allowed to live where he pleases is a great step forward and a great victory. So I intend to continue my efforts for the three Soviet families I have adopted. the Fradkins. the Paritskys. and the Rosensteins. We need to fight for these people now more than ever. The plight of the refusniks is tragic. and their only hope may be in continued pressure on Soviet authorities by influences outside of the Soviet Union. We. as Members of Congress. have a great. opportunity to aid the refusniks in their efforts to obtain visas. I encourage my fellow Members to join me in doing all we can to help these people in their struggle for freedom. I would like to -close this statement with a copy of a letter I recently wrote to Leonid Brezhnev on this subject.
Keywords matched
emigration visas