Speech #970028623

The Soviet police broke into Mr. and Mrs. Abranzons apartment on October 5. 1979. confiscated all of their possessions. and incarcerated them at IvanoFrankovsk Prison in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. where they were held without trial for more than 1 year. The Abranzons are Soviet Jewish citizens who had planned to apply for exit visas before this unfortunate incident. In November of 1980. Soviet officials found the Abranzons guilty of the crime of possession of resources. Arkady Abranzon was sentenced to 14 years in prison. while his wife. Zina. was condemned to a prison term of 6 years. both sentences are currently being served at IvanoFrankovsk. It is my belief that by releasing the Abranzons and granting them exit visas the Soviet Union would not only indicate to the world its willingness to comply with the Helsinki accords. but would also affirm its desire to ameliorate relations between our two great nations. This action would be particularly significant. coming at a time when the new Reagan administration is considering U.S.-U.S.S.R. policy initiatives. as well as a possible summit meeting. I am deeply concerned over the Soviet Unions disturbing treatment of its Jewish citizens and ask that it abide by its international commitments by relaxing restrictions on immigration policies. I look forward to the day when there is no longer any need for such pleasthe day when families can be reunited in Israel.o