The Soviets must understand how difficult it will be to improve United StatesSoviet relations so long as Moscow persists in harassing and oppressing Jews and other dissidents. As the leaders in the Kremlin begin a new chapter in Soviet history. I call upon them to take a long. hard look at the direction of their emigration policy. I fervently hope that the new Soviet leadership will conclude that it is in their own interest and in the interest of improving United StatesSoviet relations that they begin to treat their citizens with greater respect and humanity. The Soviet leadership could make a significant symbolic gesture by ending the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky and other prisonersofconscience. I shall do all I can to help reduce tensions between our two countries and at the same time will continue to do my utmost to alleviate the plight of Soviet Jewsa people who have suffered for too long. I urge the Soviet leaders to liberalize their emigration policies and to live up to the human rights provisions guaranteed in the Helsinki accords. Mr. President. I am submitting for the REcORD a chart showing the declining numbers of Soviet Jews granted exist visas. I ask unanimous consent that it appear at this point in my remarks.
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emigration visas