Although not surprising. the Soviet treatment of Ida Nudel is intolerable. Earlier this year. I joined a number of my colleagues in cosponsoring a resolution that calls on the Soviet Union to approve Ida Nudels emigration visa and allow her to go to Israel. where her sister and only close relative resides. In addition. this resolution informs the Soviet Government that their relations with the United States will depend in part on their human rights record. Finally. it must be emphasized that Ida Nudels experience is becoming far too commonplace in the Soviet Union. I am deeply saddened to report that the latest figures released by the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry show that only 182 Soviet Jews were granted exit visas during the month of June. compared to the nearly 500.000 Jews who have applied for emigration. To show what a dramatic decline in Soviet Jewish emigration these numbers represent. we must only compare 1982 figures with 1979. For the first 6 months of 1979. 24.794 exit visas were approved. for the first 6 months of 1982. only 1.537 exit visas were approved. To make matters worse. this decline in emigration has also been coupled with a tremendous increase in Soviet antiSemitism. directed especially at Soviet Jewish activists. Mr. Speaker. the plight of Ida Nudel has been a tragic one.
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emigration visas visa