The United States and the Soviet Union hope to reach an arms control accord to make this world a more secure one. We Americans. before leaping into agreements with the Soviets. must examine their lessthansterling record on adhering to their word. before signing any strategic arms treaties. The Soviet Union signed three International agreements in which it guaranteed religious freedom and the right to emigrate for all Soviet citizens. Nonetheless. Soviet repression of Jews who study lebrew and Jewish culture has escalated. while Jewish emigration has slowed to less than 2 percent of its 1979 figure. While Soviet emigration policies repress thousands. allow me to describe one case I am particularly familiar with through my wifes involvement in the Congressional Spouses Committee of 21. Alexander (Sasha) Yakir is a 29yearold Soviet Jew who has tried to emigrate for 10 years. His initial emigration application was cynically rejected on "humanitarian grounds." The authorities claimed they could not grant his request because they "do not split families." even though Sashas parents Evgeny and Rimma Yakir had applied for and been refused exit visas a year earlier. In the face of a seemingly Impossible situation. Sasha Yakir claimed Israeli citizenship. as is the right of Jews across the world. Twice. Soviet authorities "lost" the Israeli Governments documents supporting Yakirs claim. Not only do the Soviets deny emigration rights to their citizens. those who apply to leave face the prospect of harassment which threatens their livelihood inside the U.S.S.R. Sasha Yakir. trained as an engineer. could not find work in his field and had to take a job as an elevator operator. His parents both lost their positions as engineers and only survive by translating and typing English technical material into Russian.
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emigrate emigration visas