Speech #1000084215

Soviet authorities often used this excuse to try to justify the exile of Dr. Andrei Sakharov to the closed city of Gorky. The alleged knowledge of state secrets has also been used repeatedly to deny several dozen people the right to emigrate. In 1985 General Secretary Gorbachev said publicly that access to secrets should not keep anyone from emigrating for more than 5 to 10 years after the end of sensitive employment. Yet his subordinates continue to hold back people whose "secrets" are 10. 20. even 30 years old. or who never really knew any secrets at all. Is it a coincidence that many of these people happen to be vocal advocates of the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate? Prof. Naum Meiman. who tragically lost his wife to cancer a few weeks ago. was an early associate of Dr. Sakharov in the Helsinki Monitor group in Moscow. Professor Meiman did theoretical work in physics over 30 years ago. Recently the Soviet authorities once again denied him the right to emigrate because of his knowledge of these "secrets" of the 1950s. Another eminent scientist who applied to emigrate was Dr. Alexander Lerner. After his first application to emigrate over 16 years ago. Dr. Lerner lost his position and was never again allowed access to any sensitive information. The Soviet authorities continue to tell him he cannot leave the country. Lev Blitshteyn has also been told he cannot emigrate because he possesses state secrets. He has never been a scientist. Before he was fired for trying to emigrate. he was a butcher. There are many other Soviet Jews who have been denied emigration for having secrets. but whose secrets are outdated or who never worked in any sensitive position at all. Mr. Speaker. I call upon Mr. Gorbachev to see that his bureaucracy carries out his own policy of placing a time limit on the denial of emigration for having secrets. He should also see that this reason is no longer used to keep butchers. elementary school teachers. and others with no state secrets from emigrating. The Soviet Union gains nothing by such cruel and aribtrary violations of human rights.