Speech #970194542

Mr. President. 2 days ago. on Sunday the 27th. six Pentecostalist Christians observed the fourth anniversary of their stay in the American Embassy in Moscow. Separated for 4 years and by 3.000 miles from other family members. the six members of the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families remain in sparse basement quarters ultimately because they are not free to practice their religion in the Soviet Union. nor are they free to emigrate to another country where their religious practices would be respected. Today. it is appropriate that we who enjoy the fruits of a freedomloving nation. pay homage to these six Pentecostalists who share our love of fundamental human freedoms and have held fast to their desire to exercise these freedoms against onerous odds. Events leading to the Vashchenkos and Chmykhalovs visit to the Embassy began in 1962 when the families decided to chart their lives in a new directionout of persecution in the Soviet Union and into the freedom of the West. Explicitly following the letter of Soviet law. the families pursued their emigration course. Years and years of repeated applications and journeys to emigration offices did not win the cherished exit visas. rather they were countered with stepped up harassment and brutality. Sixteen years later. in 1978. eight member of the two families traveled to the American Embassy in Moscow at the invitation of Embassy officials. They went seeking emigration advice. not asylum. But because a young boy in their party was dragged away and severely beaten by Soviet guards before ever entering the Embassy. the others decided they must remain there for their own safety. They became known to the world as the "Siberian Seven" as their plight was publicized and Western nations rallied to their cause. Despite efforts to precipitate the granting of exit visas. including our own legislative efforts. the Soviets belligerently refuse to allow the Vashchenkos and Chmykhalovs to leave. The Soviets adamantly insist that in order to emigrate. they must return to their native town. Chernogorsk. and file yet another application. To protest Soviet refusal to allow them to emigrate. Lidiya and Augustina Vashchenko went on a hunger strike in late December 1981. Lidiya was so weakened that she was removed to Moscows Botkin Hospital.