Speech #990013242

In early 1983 Boris was released and he returned to Moscow. Mr. Speaker. emigration policy is very sensitive to the climate in United StatesSoviet relations: When relations are better than usual. the emigration policy improves. when relations worsen. such as after the invasion of Afghanistan or the Korean Airline bombing. the policy on outmigration is restricted. I know I share the hopes of many of us in Congress and throughout the United States that with the new. relatively youthful and vigorous leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev. will improve United StatesSoviet relations and that this in turn. will lead to productive talks on arms control in Geneva. and in improved Soviet emigration policy. Accordingly I have signed the letter to President Reagan urging that the Soviet Jewish emigration issue be included in the arms talks. and I sincerely hope that it is. So I commend the gentleman from New York [Mr. MRAZEKI the gentleman from Illinois the gentleman from New York . and the gentleman from California for their hard work with the congressional coalition for Soviet Jews. and reaffirm my deep commitment to the cause for Soviet Jews.*