Speech #980215454

I participated particularly on behalf of Naum and Fiana Kogen and Zacher Zunshine. Senator CARL LEVIN and I met the Kogens while on a trip to Russia 5 years ago. The Kogens have been denied permission to emigrate. despite the fact that they have followed all of the proper procedures for applying for immigration. and despite their very poor health. I am pleased that the Jewish community in Oklahoma City has adopted Naum and Fiana for help. correspondence. and prayers. Zunshine was arrested a few months ago for antiSoviet behavior. This unacceptable behavior was limited to a formal request to Soviet authorities for permission to emigrate. Zunshine has been singled out for special attention by several members of the Jewish community in Tulsa. OK. Recently. I placed telephone calls to several Soviet officials to express my personal concern about Zunshines case. Conviction for a simple act of requesting permission to emigrate could set a dangerous precedent in Soviet treatment of Jews and Christians. Soviet Jews and Christians are being victimized by the current deterioration in relations between the Soviet Union and the West. and it is incumbent upon us to call upon the Soviet Union to end this injustice. We must not forget these brave people who are being persecuted in the Soviet Union.