Speech #1010026060

The United States Is the nation leading the charge for democracy and freedom and we are obligated and responsible for promoting these liberties in those nations who do not respect the innate fundamental freedoms of their people. Let me take. for example. the story of Valery Anatolyevich Palatov. a 45yearold Soviet Jew living in Leningrad. He is currently seeking to emigrate from the Soviet Union so that he may join his son and daughter in the United States. In 1979. while Valery was working as an engineer and studying to receive his Ph.D. in physics. he gave his permission. as required by the Soviets. for his children to emigrate to the United States. The result of his required permission for their departure. was the loss of his job and his ability to complete his Ph.D. schooling. Due to his situation. he has been unable to find a job in the field where his specialties lie. He is currently a computer programmer. In 1987. Valery received the necessary invitation from his son which Initiates the emigration process. On February 21. 1987. Valery was denied the necessary visa on the grounds that he had been exposed to classified information while in his job as an engineer which was terminated in 1979. On April 6. 1988. after another attempt to receive a visa. he was once again denied. and was further denied a third time on October 17. 1988. In each instance. the same reason has been listed for the denial. his access to state secrets. Each time no time limit for his detention was indicated. This case remains to be resolved. Valery continues to work toward his freedom and his emigration from the Soviet Union. his colleague from work. who held a higher security clearance than Valery in his position as engineer. was allowed to emigrate in 1988. This is a striking example of the arbitrary and inconsistent manner in which permission to emigrate is distributed. We must monitor the Soviets and urge them to standardize and structuralize their emigration process. We must work to eliminate the arbitrary nature of the current system to allow for the release of those Soviet Jews who wish to practice their religion as they see fit without being persecuted. Mr. Speaker. let us take an opportunity to renew our commitment to the Jews who are attempting to emigrate and continue our persistence in encouraging the Soviet Government to proceed structurally with its reforms. Let us honor these Soviet Jews and be encouraged by their strength and resolve. Their plight is one which allows us. as Americans. to remember to be grateful for the freedoms and liberties on which this country was built.