Roman was employed as a laborer at the Electropribor plant in Penza. When he was hired he made a written promise not to leave the country for 5 years after completion of his employment. He applied for a visa to emigrate to Israel in February 1988. He was initially denied because this waiting period had not expired. He applied again in September. and on November 30. 1988. he received a written notification from OVIR. the Soviet emigration agency. that his secrecy travel restriction had been lifted. On December 2. 1988. the Sorkins were told they had permission to leave the U.S.S.R.. and they gave up their jobs and their flat in preparation to leave. Roman was then called back to the OVIR office and told that their exit visas were annulled. and that he would not be able to leave until 1990 because of his knowledge of state secrets. In May 1989. Svetlana staged a 4day hungerstrike to protest the continuing denial of their emigration privileges. Mr. Speaker. the Soviet Union wants to benefit from the free exchange of goods and ideas with the West.
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emigrate emigration visas visa