Speech #990005580

Mr. President. I am deeply concerned over the Soviet Unions dismal policy on emigration of Jews and other minorities. In 1984. only 896 Jews were permitted to leave the Soviet Uniona drastic decline from the 51.320 exit visas that were granted Soviet Jews in 1979. Only 61 Jews were allowed to emigrate in January 1985. And Jews have been subject to heightened persecution along with other religious minorities in recent months. With the United StatesSoviet relationship especially volatile over the past two decades. It is clear that the level of Jewish emigration has served as hostage to the state of the bilateral relationship.When detente was at its height. the Soviets permitted Jewish emigration to rise. But when our relations with the Kremlin are strained. the Soviets drastically reduce the number of exit visas. As a signatory of the Helsinki Final Act. the Soviet Union has pledged to respect human rights. including the right of citizens to emigrate freely and to pursue family reunification. Yet the Kremlin continues to hold Soviet Jews hostage in a game of international politics and continues to harass Jews who desire to emigrate. In recent months. the Soviet Government has stepped up its crackdown on Hebrew teachers and other Jewish cultural activists. Hebrew teachers are being arrested. sentenced. and imprisoned on trumpedup charges designed to punish them for teaching and practicing their religion. All Americans should condemn this shameful campaign. The Kremlin has little to gain by continuing to block the legitimate right of the Jewish community to practice its faith and to emigrate. In fact. Moscow has much to gain by allowing its Jewish citizens and others to emigrate. An increase in the granting of exit visas for Soviet Jews and others would help to lessen tensions between our two nations. I urge the Soviet Union to approve emigration applications expeditiously and to make a symbolic gesture by releasing Anatoly Shcharansky and allowing him to emigrate. and granting Ida Nudel her wish to be reunited with her sister in Israel. Such positive gestures of good will would be most welcome and most constructive. As an honorary Cochairman of the newly established Congressional Coalition for Soviet Jews. I will continue to work hard with my colleagues to do all I can to alleviate the plight of Soviet Jews and other minorities seeking to emigrate. I will also do my utmost in pressing the Soviet leaders to liberalize their emigration policy. to respect the right of all their citizens to practice their religion free from persecution. and to live up to the human rights guarantees of the Helsinki accords. Mr. President. I am submitting for the RECORD a table showing the disappointing numbers of Soviet Jews being granted exit visas by the Soviet Government.