Speech #980107598

I wish to thank the gentleman from Michigan and the gentleman from Pennsylvania for reserving this time for us to comment on the effect of this incident on the Soviet Jewish community. The past year has been a grim one for Soviet Jews. Immigration numbers have hit rock bottom. and the Soviet authorities under Yuri Andropov have increased official actions against dissidents and minority groups of all types. In April. a letter in Pravda announced the formation of antiZionist committees in most Soviet cities. These organizations spread antiSemitic propaganda and attempt to make the case that emigration for Jewish family reunification has been completed. How will the KAL 007 incident affect Jewish emigration. already at its lowest level in a decade? How will it affect the quality of life of those Jews remaining in the U.S.S.R.. as well as those who have applied to leave? A member of my staff. just back from the Soviet Union. reports that so far the matter has meant only increased jamming of VOA and BBC broadcasts.