Speech #980260552

I join with my colleagues today in this special order to urge the Reagan administration and Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko to make freedom for Soviet Jews a pivotal issue in their discussions this week. This issue which has long been important to the American public takes on additional significance at this particular time. as September 26 marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year celebration. one of the holiest times of the Jewish year. At a time when a mere 652 Soviet Jews have been granted permission to emigrate since January. and when we receive daily reports of increased antiSemitism in the Soviet media. it is essential that we raise our voices to ensure that Soviet Jewry be made an integral part of any renewed dialog between the United States and the Soviet Union. We must continue to insist that human rights. especially the rights of Soviet Jews. become a major theme in our dealings with the Soviets. It is my hope that the talks this week will become a catalyst for an increase in freedom for Soviet Jews and a lessening of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.*