Verity as saying. "The American Jewish community can never be satisfied on this matter." I would like to point out that the American Jewish community is not alone in its lack of satisfaction. I. for one. and I know I am joined by many of my colleagues. am not satisfied. And I will not be satisfied until the Soviet Union permits free emigration. Surely there can be no reasonable justification to keep average people. the type of people who make up this Nation of immigrants. from changing their country of residence if they choose. Recently. Mr. Verity stated in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee that even though he viewed the JacksonVanik amendment that specifically mentions emigration as "counterproductive." he intends to uphold the law if he is confirmed. I hope that he will do more than merely uphold the law. but rather that he will work diligently and forcefully to insist upon improved human rights before any trade concessions are granted to the Soviet Union. The most obvious litmus test of human rights compliance is freedom of emigration. At his confirmation hearing in September. Mr. Verity was asked what level of emigration from the Soviet Union would be considered satisfactory for easing trade restrictions. Mr. Verity stated that "a reasonable figure of somewhere between 15.000 and 25.000 a year would be a good starting point." In light of the fact that Soviet Jewry groups estimate that some 400.000 Jews would like to emigrate. Mr. Veritys figures seems terribly low. The Colorado Committee of Concern for Soviet Jewry has made the following statement regarding Mr. Veritys views on Soviet emigration: Our organization considers the policy articulated by Mr. Verity morally reprehensible. legally indefensible and totally unacceptable. Americans who opposed buying hostages from Iran will properly oppose using tax dollars to ransom a quota of Soviet Jews.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration immigrants