The only thing worse than losing ones freedom of movement is losing ones voice. and our brothers and sisters in the Soviet Union have lost both. So we must be their voice. Clearly. there has been some progress made in sheer numbers of emigrationfrom a few dozen a month to a few hundred. But this is not nearly enough. The only number that matters is 100percent emigration for those who seek it. Just yesterday I spoke on the phone with Alexi Bronshtein who lives in Leningrad and has been refused an exit visa. Alexi is also a divided spouse who was married last year to a Swedish woman in an official Soviet ceremony. His wish is to be reunited with his wife so they may perhaps settle in Israel where he has family. When Alexi requested permission to leave he was dismissed from medical school where he had already completed 4 years of study. He now faces the threat of conscription. Alexi told me yesterday that he had just returned from Moscow to speak with emigration officials about his status. Every time he goes. Alexi talks with a different Soviet official. but yesterday. as in each previous attempt. he was told nothing of substance.
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emigrationfrom emigration visa