Speech #980071876

I am joining several of my colleagues in a prayer vigil for Soviet Jews. July 14 is the fifth anniversary of the trial of Anatoly Shcharansky who has been serving a 13 year sentence for espioaage though his only real crime is a desire to leave the Soviet Union. It is appropriate that we choose July 14 as a day to demonstrate our opposition to Soviet interference in Jewish emigration. As one who has spoken out often on the issue of respect for human rights. I applaud the gentleman from Colorado for chairing this vigil and the gentlemen from New York and Illinois for organizing it. I would also like to commend the efforts of the Jewish Federation of Orange County and its leaders. including Michael Pinto. Gerald Lasensky. and Chelle Friedman for their work on behalf of Soviet Jews. Restriction of emigration is not the only problem faced by Jews in the Soviet Union. In general. the position of Jews in Soviet society is deteriorating. The Soviet Government has repressed cultural and religious expression. in what some observers feel is an attempt to destroy the collective memory of the Jewish people. losif Begun. a Soviet mathematician. was arrested because his attempts to teach Hebrew were considered antiSoviet behavior. Antisemitic statements are becoming more prevalent in Soviet publications. including materials that are printed for the young. It is not uncommon for Jews who apply for emigration to be put in administrative limbo and dismissed from their jobs. yet not permitted to leave the Soviet Union. The rate of emigration by Soviet Jews has reached an alltime low. declining by 97 percent in just 4 years. Jewish emigration reached 51.320 in 1979 but dropped to 2.686 in 1982. If this trend continues. less than 1.200 Soviet Jews will be allowed to emigrate in 1983. The State Department has concluded that the Soviet Governments claim that most Jews who want to leave have already left is false. Interference in Jewish emigration is just one example of human rights violations by the Soviet Union. By demonstrating our support for Anatoly Shcharansky and the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate. we send a proper message to the Soviet Union that the United States stands for justice and decency.e