In particular. we must continue to demand that the Soviet Union end its repression of Jews in that country. Today I want to focus on the plight of one family that is an example of the denial of basic human rights to all Soviet Jews. Naum Kogan. his wife Zhanna Kazacminer and their two daughters have been trying to obtain exit visas for over 10 years. Despite Secretary Gorbachevs announced policy of glasnost. the Kogans were again refused viasas on Why are the Kogans a refusenik family? What crime have they committed? None. Naum and Zhanna were denied an exit visa in 1977 because Zhanna had worked as an engineer for the Institute of Communications. which Soviet officials claimed had security implications. The Kogans lost their jobs and have been denied exit visas ever since. They have obviously not been involved in any form of supposed classified work for over a decade. Sadly. as we have seen too many times. facts and rational reasoning seem to have little meaning to the Soviet Government. Like many of my colleagues. I have sent numerous letters to Soviet officials asking them to grant the Kogans an exit visa. As we all know. these requests are neither answered nor acknowledged. Our purpose in speaking here today is to reaffirm our commitment to work for the release of the Kogans and all Soviet Jews who want to emigrate or simply desire to be able to practice their religion without harassment from their own Government. I will not end my efforts until Naum Kogan is able to join his family in the United States and I will continue to work with my colleagues to pressure the Soviet Union to truly begin their policy of glasnost.
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