Speech #990013245

I speak today on behalf of Naur Meiman. Professor Meiman is a doctor of physics and mathematical science and is internationally recognized for his work on elementary particles. After his first application for an exit visa in 1974. he was deprived of continuing his work in the sciences and denied medical treatment which he had been receiving for many years. At this point. he is believed to be very ill. Professor Meiman is very outspoken on behalf of Soviet Jews. He actively participated in the now defunct Moscow/Helsinki watch group and has written extensively on the plight of Soviet Jews. He has been threatened by Soviet officials that he will be arrested if he does not abandon his activities. I am told that the original reason given for the denial of Professor Meimans visa was that 27 years ago he had access to classified calculations. These calculations have long been unclassified by Soviet scientists and were recognized as such in 1975. In recent years Professor Meimans wife. Inna. has suffered from a brain tumor. It is the opinion of her husband and her friends that she must receive care that is only available to her outside the Soviet Union. It is increasingly critical that Professor Meiman and his wife be granted exit visas not only for the reason that it is their right. but also for humanitarian medical reasons. They are hopeful that all those individuals sympathetic to the plight of Soviet Jews will hear their pleas and join in the appeal to Soviet authorities on their behalf. These rights focus on individuals like the Meimans because we who participate want to personalize the struggle of Soviet Jewry for its human rights. in this case the right to emigrate. However. it should go without directly saying that our efforts and our commitment are in behalf of all Soviet Jews. and indirectly in behalf of the human rights of all people everywhere.o