Mr. President. again this year the congressional call to conscience is focusing our attention on the plight of Soviet Jewry. The recent release of Anatoly Shcharansky has dramatized the issue and put it in the headlines. largely because Shcharansky courageously endured a great deal of suffering and because he had become a symbol of the Jewish emigration movement. While we have all rejoiced in this wonderful development. no one is claiming that it represents a major change in Soviet policy. or that the struggle for free emigration is over. In fact. I have sensed a renewed resolve to increase our efforts on behalf of the remaining prisoners of conscience. and the thousands of refuseniks still awaiting permission to leave. As Shcharansky himself said after his arrival in Israel. his release should be "only the beginning of a long process of improving the situation of emigration and human rights." There are so many cases which must be resolved as part of this long process. Let me mention three. Before the Geneva summit. there were indications that Abe Stolar. his wife Gita. his son Michael. and Michaels wife Julia would be granted exit visas. More than 3 months later. they are still waiting. The Stolars have been trying to emigrate to Israel for over a decade. Twice before the Stolars have been on the verge of leaving. only to have their hopes dashed at the last minute. All of us who have worked on the Stolars behalf sincerely hope that this latest episode will not be another disappointment.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration visas