Gorbachev gets this message: Despite his public relations efforts. the American people realize the true nature of the Soviet system with regard to human rights. Furthermore. we will continue to press Mr. Gorbachev for improvements. particularly in emigration policies for Soviet Jewry. While the number of Soviet Jews allowed to leave the Soviet Union has increased to over 6.000 thus far in 1987. we should rejoice for those who got out. but should not congratulate the Soviet Government. After all. emigration is a basic human right. There are still 11.000 refuseniks and almost 400.000 Jews who have expressed a desire to leave. And. we all know of the repression that the Jewish faith and culture comes under. as well as the difficult life for refuseniks inside the Soviet Union. Moreover. while the growth in emigration figures is encouraging. this growth must be sustained. We must not settle for improvement which is merely part of presummit publicity. A sincere goodwill gesture on the part of the Soviet Government would be sustained. everimproving emigration figures. We know that during the summit President Reagan will raise human rights issues. particularly the plight of Soviet Jewry. Unfortunately. we do not know how receptive Mr. Gorbachev will be to demands that the Soviet Government abide by the Helsinki accords. a document which they have signed. Nevertheless. our administration and Congress must assure Mr. Gorbachev that the granting of. at least. the basic human right of emigration to Soviet Jewry is essential to longterm improvements in United StatesSoviet relations.
Keywords matched
emigration