Charnys case. This is not a political issue. it is a humanitarian concern. Still. he is refused permission to emigrate. and time is running out. In recent months. the number of refuseniks given permission to emigrate has increased dramatically. Most recently. a group of famous refuseniks have been given permission in connection with the SovietShevardnazae arms control talks. But many. many more Soviet Jews that are not so famous are still being refused exit visas for the most arbitrary of reasons. We can see that glasnost and detente have brought us closer to world peace. but have not changed the capricious nature of Soviet emigration policy. The cynics would say that we are buying freedom for Soviet Jews. that the Soviets are selling right now at a pretty good price. But what is the price that we must pay to win Ben Charnys freedom? It is shameful that Dr. Charny continues to be refused a chance to rejoin his family and to get the medical treatment necessary for his condition. I take the occasion of Ben Charnys birthday to urge my colleagues to redouble their efforts to win his freedom and to urge Soviet authorities to grant him permission to emigrate. I can think of no better birthday present for Dr. Charny than an exit visa and a plane ride to freedom.
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