The example of Iosif Mendelevichs release and the reduction in punishment of the death sentences prove that world protests and public opinion do achieve dramatic results. However. we cannot stop there. Yes. 9 of the 11 defendants have been released and now reside in Israel. but Yuri Federov and Alexei Murzhenko are now entering their 11th year behind Soviet bars and thousands like them are denied on a daily basis the right to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel because of their faith. Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev has stated he would like to normalize relations with the United States. It is my hope that this normalization begin with the Soviet recognition of long disregarded human rights. This recognition could commence with the release of both Federov and Murzhenko. that the issuance of Soviet exit visas will rise. that restrictions placed upon eligible emigrants will be repealed. and finally. that those Soviet persons desiring to emigrate should be allowed to do so. The immediate commencing of these steps could have a positive impact upon United StatesSoviet relations. The United States has for a long time been the symbol of freedom for the oppressed peoples of Eastern Europe.
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emigrate visas emigrants