Speaker. as I have indicated. the mechanism is not solely a Western device. It is available to all of the CSCE States equally. Recently. the Soviet Union invoked the mechanism against the United States for denying visas to Soviet doctors and journalists in January of this year because of their affiliation with Communist trade unions. Once again the 1952 McCarranWalter Act has become an international embarrassment to the United States. undermining our credibility not only with the nations we single out for human rights violations. but with our allies in the human rights struggle as well. The 1952 law. enacted over the veto of President Truman. systematically excludes foreigners on the basis of their beliefs and affiliations. For example. under the McCarranWalter Act Communist Party members and representatives of labor unions from Communist countries can be excluded from entering the United States. The subsequently adopted McGovern Amendment. which provides for an automatic waiver of entry denial for Communist Party members. does not extend to the aforementioned labor union representatives. Last month. at the CSCE London Information Forum on the free flow of information. the United States was roundly criticized by Eastern nations and Western allies for its restrictive visa policies. It is hardly appropriate for this nation. founded on principles of liberty and democracy to maintain a law that permits government officials to determine which ideas and individuals will be given voice in the United States. It is hardly appropriate that in this age of satellites. computers and fax machines. ideas can transcend borders but their authors cannot.
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