U.S.S.R. DEAR MR. GENERAL SECRETARY: We have noted your recent personal intervention to ease the exit of Soviet Jews and other minorities wishing to emigrate from your country. A significant increase in emigration to the levels that prevailed eight years ago would certainly contribute to improving the climate between our two countries on the eve of the hopedfor Washington summit later this year. We hope that in the future the new emigration policy will allow for expeditious processing of all requests for exit visas. making appeals for individual cases unnecessary. Meanwhile. however. we request you expedite the cases of Roald and Galina Zelichonok of Leningrad. We were encouraged by Roalds early release from labor camp in February. but remain concerned by his and his wifes deteriorating health. his inability to find work due to the obstacles placed in his way by local officials. and the continued denial of their request to emigrate. We strongly believe in the concepts set forth in the 1974 Helsinki Final Act. to which both our nations are signatories. The right of individuals to emigrate freely is one such concept. and one we embrace wholeheartedly. We appreciate your attention to our humanitarian appeals and ask you to look into this matter personally. Resolution of this and other similar longterm exit visa cases would be seen as a very positive step toward allowing the free emigration promised in the Helsinki Accords. Sincerely. William S.
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