While I have the warmest feelings toward the Jewish people and I greatly admire their fortitude hrough the ages. I seek to raise a more solemn note during this Jewish Heritage Week. Today. in the Soviet Union. there hundreds of thousands of Jewsknown to the world as Refusenikswhose visas to emigrate have been denied. Denial of emigration rights for Soviet Jews. dissidents and divided families has historically been a topic of widespread international concern because it represents a breach of fundamental human liberties. While the Soviet Union has in the past claimed that Soviet Jews have not been mistreated and have no desire to emigrate. it is clear that Jews in the U.S.S.R. have not only been denied the right to leave their country. but also such basic freedoms as cultural and religious expression. In the 1980s. emigration of Soviet Jews hit bottom as no more than approximately 1.000 Jews were granted exit visas during each year. Under the leadership of President Mikhail Gorbachev. however. 4.000 refuseniks were allowed to emigrate in 1989. And. in 1990. it anticipated that 100.000 Soviet Jews will be permitted to leave Russia for Israel. The increased rate of emigration for Soviet Jews represents a major breakthrough for the Jewish Community around the world. It marks an important step toward the lift.ng of the bonds which have for so long held Soviet Jews captive. Although the release of 100.000 Soviet Jews represents substantial progress over the hardships of the past. we must look beyond this incremental progress to a time when all Jews residing in the Soviet Union are allowed the right to freely observe their religion and have the liberty to move and live wherever they please. One emigration case exemplifying the gross obstruction of basic human liberties and the recent trend in favor of allowing greater emigration. involves the plight of Leonid Lubman. As a "Congressional Call to Conscience." Mr. President.
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emigrate emigration visas