Speech #970151231

I am pleased theSenate is acting on House Concurrent Resolution 100. which is identical to Senate Concurrent Resolution 76. Mr. President. the emigration story of the Vashchenkos and Chmykhalovs. two Russian Pentecostalist families. has lingered on for 20 years. Their story is rapidly approaching Ln important Juncture. In a few days. Soviet emigration officials will notify them about their petition to renounce Soviet citizenshipoften the first step toward emigrating. At this critical point in their struggle. it is particularly important that we send them a message of our most sincere concern. and at the same time. let the Soviets know that we continue to monitor their case with intense interest. Accordingly. I hope that this body will approve the resolution before us which calls on the Soviet Government to allow them to emigrate. The measure. which is supported by the State Department. was approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday of this week. The families efforts to emigrate began in 1962 with the realization that they would nevez be able to freely practice their religion in the Soviet Union. Their struggle has been fraught with dashed hopes. frustra. tions. and disappointments. But hope. determination. and courage continues to kindle their spirits and keep their efforts alive. They have steadfastly pursued their course despite the harsh and inhumane Soviet response--confinement in a psychiatric hospital. prison. labor camp. and state "reeducation" boarding school. The Congress and millions of Americans first became acquainted with the Vashchenkos and Chmykhalovs in 1978 when seven of them rushed past Soviet guards into the American Embassy in Moscow. They went seeking emigration advice. but fearing severe punitive measures would be taken by Soviet officials. they remained in the Embassy. Known to the world now as the "Siberian Seven." they have resided in small basement quarters in the Embassy ever sinceno closer to their dream of emigration and religious freedom. but they nevertheless hold fast to that dream. While visiting the seven in 1979. Senator BOREN and I were struck by their perseverance despite the hardships they have endured. Proposals to allow the seven to leave directly from the Embassy for the United States have been rejected by the Soviets. They adamantly insist that in order to emigrate. the seven must return to Chernogorsk. their hometown. and file an application. To protest Soviet refusal to observe their internationally recognized right to emigrate. late last year Lidiya and Augustina Vashchenko began a hunger strike. Lidiya grew so weak that she had to be removed to Moscows Botkin hospital. While she was recuperating there. Lidiya wrote me a letter indicating that upon her release from the hospital. she intended to return to Chernogorsk and apply to emigrate. Lidiya did indeed return to her hometown and filed another applica. tion to emigrate. She has met the Soviet demand. now it is incumbent on the Soviets to honor their commitment. Mr.