Speech #990153719

As elected officials. we must step up United StatesSoviet dialog to maintain this constant and consistent message at every level of diplomatic negotiations. As we discuss arms control. trade. and economics. we should also be discussing human rights violations as an essential component of any negotiating agenda. I have previously suggested the following guidelines for United States delegations to improve Soviet human rights practices. and I list them again because I continue to support these guidelines: (1) A substantial release of prisoners and refuseniks prior to any negotiations as an honorable gesture. (2) the inclusion in all emigration arrangements of the principles of repatriation to Israel or family reunification elsewhere. (3) the end of the harrassment of all Jewish study groups. Hebrew teachers. and so forth including restrictions on their ability to obtain and prepare educational materials. and (4) the end of inflammatory Soviet media campaigns utilizing antiSemitic stereotypes that portary an United StatesZionist world conspiracy trying to subvert the U.S.S.R. Shcharanskys freedom can not be interpreted as a harbinger of a new Soviet policy toward Soviet Jews.