Speech #960245943

It is evident that the Soviets handling of Mr. Zavurovs case is not in accord with the international conventions they have signed. The Helsinki agreement clearly states that nations are to "make it their aim to facilitate freer movement and contacts among persons." I am outraged and disturbed by the Soviets arbitrary and inequitable system which denies basic human rights to its Jewish citizens who desire to emigrate. Of the 598.100 Soviet Jews who were sent emigration visas from Israel between the years 1968 and 1979. less than onehalf288.707actually obtained visas and reached Vienna. In 1979. an average of 4.277 Soviet Jews emigrated per month from Russia. In 1980. the monthly average is down by 42 percent. I urge all of my colleagues to continue to fight here in Congress and to speak out against the continued oppression experienced by Soviet Jews. Soviet Jews should be accorded the full range of human rights the Helsinki agreement recognized. and particularly the right to free emigration.c