Lithuania. and Estonia are permitted to determine their own future. But we should not hold trade hostage to these efforts. Over the years the United States has fought to promote the rights of Soviet minodties. particularly the Jewish minority. to emigrate. The JacksonVanik amendment to the 1974 Trade Act has been Instrumental in pursuing this policy. And JacksonVanik has now achieved Its objective. Last month the Supreme Soviet voted final approval to a comprehensive emigration law. In short. the Soviet Union appears to have addressed the concerns raised In JacksonVanik. It Is time now to recognize and reward these Soviet efforts by a waiver of JacksonVanik. In the next few weeks the State Department will be examining the new Soviet emigration law. If. as appears likely. the law Is judged to satisfy the concerns raised In JacksonVank. then the granting of normal tariff status. or the socalled mostfavorednation trade status. will most certainly be forthcoming. The granting of MFN. which really confers normal tariff status. is an Important step if commerce between the United States and the Soviet Union Is to grow.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration