Bronfman. president of the World Jewish Congress. just completed talks with Soviet leaders in Moscow. The results are very promising. especially in the light of the increase in Soviet Jewish emigres this month. Along with the possible easing of restrictions on Jewish religious observances. the Soviets gave assurances that they would permit a major increase in Jewish emigration. We all know that the Soviets are masters at saying one thing and doing another. Now it is time for their deeds to match their rhetoric. The latest figures show that 453 Soviet Jews were able to emigrate in March. which is the highest 1month total since July 1981. Some 500 Jews were granted permission to emigrate in March. and I am pleased to hear that among those granted permission are Mikhail and Marina FuksRabinovich and their son Mishka. Ill be even more pleased when I hear they have their exit visas and are on their way out. When we add it all up. in the first 3 months of 1987. 697 Soviet Jews were able to emigrate. That is a positive development. I dont mean to imply any satisfaction with the numbers of Soviet Jewish emigres. Far from it. Everyone here remembers that thousands of Soviet Jews emigrated each month in the 1970s. What encouragement we take from the recent increase is only the hope that it represents a reversal of the decline of the past 7 years. For every Jew permitted to leave. over 100 more remain behind.
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emigrate emigration visas emigrated