We are now in the midst of negotiations with the Soviet Union and other Eastern nations to lift trade restrictions and open up a new area of economic relations. We are now considering whether to grant mostfavorednation [MFN] trade status to the Soviets. The Congress will have the opportunity to decide whether to approve a waiver of the JacksonVanik amendment which bars MFN status for any Communist nation that restricts emigration of religious minorities. I welcome these trade initiatives because I believe they will promote economic and political stability for these new governments. At the same time. we must tell these governments that they must demonstrate a commitment and ability to safeguarding their Jewish minority in order for these barriers to be removed. We must also continue our pressure on the Soviet Government to permit direct flights between Moscow and Tel Aviv so that Soviet Jews who wish to emigrate will be able to leave the Soviet Union. The small number of Eastern European Jews who survived Hitlers final solution and have remained in Eastern Europe have the right to live in dignity. free of persecution. We must make clear to the relevant European governments that we believe they have a solemn duty to protect their Jewish minority and we will consider their record in achieving that goal when we determine the future of our economc and political relations with them.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration