Gorbachev is vulnerable and his policies may in fact represent only a temporary respite in the tumultuous history of the Soviet Union. It is this fundamental realization which prompts me to urge caution in our dealings with the Soviet Union. particularly in reference to waiving the JacksonVanik amendment. Clearly. one must acknowledge that the Soviet Union has made improvements in their emigration policy under Mr. Gorbachev. However. progress concerning emigration has been limited. For example. there are still many longterm refuseniks who are not permitted to emigrate. state security is still used as a justification to bar emigration. the poor relatives clause is still a means to curb emigration. and psychiatric hospitals are still used for political purposes. The changes in Soviet emigration policy which have been implemented thus far are somewhat superficial. and there is little indication beyond verbal assurances that they would survive should Mr. Gorbachev fall. Therefore. we must encourage the Soviet Union to adopt institutional reforms which are irreversible. so that if the Gorbachev phenomena fades from the horizon. future Soviet leaders will still be bound to an emigration standard. in line with the JacksonVanik amendment. Only when these reforms are adopted and annual Jewish emigration levels exceed 60.000. with evidence that this level will be maintained or surpassed in the future. should we consider granting a 1year waiver or the JacksonVanik amendment. Clearly. now is not the time for this to take place.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration