I was impressed by his keen intelligence and by the desperation of his plight. More than anything. he wants to Join his wife and daughter in the United States. Vladimir Tsivkin is one of the few remaining hardcore refuseniks. He has been in refusal for more than 10 years. making him one of the longest remaining Soviet Jews in refusal. Vladimirs wife and daughter left the Soviet Union on a tourist visa and now live in the United States. It is very hard on him to be separated from his family. especially since he is in ill health. He suffers from an an endocrine disorder and needs an operation.