There has been a great deal of discussion about the JacksonVanik trade amendments to the 1974 Trade Act. Some in Congress have advocated lifting JacksonVanik as a reward or favor to Mikhail Gorbachev for his efforts at democratization in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Let us remind our colleagues that the Soviet Union has not passed any right of emigration legislation. It has not taken any steps to curb the activities of hate groups such as Pamyat. and it continues to deny Soviet Jews and others the right to emigrate on the most arbitrary grounds. Not until the Soviet Union passes emigration legislation. codifies it and implements it for some time will it then be appropriate to consider lifting JacksonVanik. We must ensure that the Soviets match their words with deeds. To lift JacksonVanik at this time would be tragic for the remaining Soviet Jews.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration