Speech #1000079637

Mr. Speaker. when a Soviet citizen applies to emigrate from the Soviet Union. he begins a long and laborous process. Many forms must be filledout and many documents obtained before a person can go to OVIR and present their application for emigration. An undotted T or an uncrossed "t" can easily result in the application being thrown out. Yet. Mr. Speaker. my talks with refuseniks in Moscow revealed a growing problem with OVIR refusing to accept any applications for emigration to Israel when the applicants cannot confirm the absence of any material claims from those relatives remaining in the Soviet Union. Several refuseniks brought this problem to my attention and I ask unanimous consent to share this information with my colleagues: DEAR SIR: We know about the level of your interest and anxiety with respect to Jewsrefusniks in the USSR and we greatly appreciate it. Please pay your attention to the following acute and continuously broadening problem. Soviet visa and registration authorities (socalled OVIRs) refuse to consider (or. in some cases. refuse to comply) the applications of many citizens which intend to go to Israel due to these citizens cannot submit documents confirming the absence of any material claims from the side of those relatives which remain in the USSR. The lack of the ability to submit these documents in OVIR has no linkage with the existence of real material claims. Having no material claims the relatives refuse to register this fact for putting obstacles against the emigration. In the Soviet civil law there is no formal procedure to demand and obtain the necessary documents. Moreover. the relatives declaration itself (if it would be written) has no legal significance and forcein accordance with Soviet law. the documents author retains his right to appeal in Court for demanding the execution of any obligations which the emigrant has. However. according to Point 7 of Decree (Ukaz) "On the order of considering propositions. claims and declarations of citizens" of Presidium of Supreme Soviet of the USSR. OVIR themselves must demand and obtain documents needed for considering the application cases. but they violate this Decree and refuse to do it.