Speech #1010139055

Where there was once silence and oppression. there are now new voices of hope. The wall that separated East from West for so long has been torn down. and in its place is a negotiating table. But for many Jewish families who dreamt for years of emigrating to the West. these changes have turned their dreams into reality. We are riRht to welcome and praise the increase of Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union. but in our enthusiasm and praise we cannot close our eyes to the thousands of families who are still waiting to emigrate. We cannot close our eyes to those who because of supposed "state secrets" from jobs they held 15 years ago. supposedly. are still denied exit visas. We cannot close our eyes to those wouldbe Immigrants who now have to wait for 1 year because the Soviet Union is restricting flights to Israel. The JacksonVanik amendment has been an appropriate and legitimate standard against which to measure Soviet emigration policies. In our economic and political relations with the Soviet Union. we must remain insistent about free emigration rights. and forcvful In protesting the arbitrary treatment of longterm refusniks. Change in the Soviets emigration policies must be pushed to a just conclusion. Our steadfastness of purpose has accomplished a great deal. Now we must stay the course.