Speech #1020079240

Makavoz is desperate to be reunited with her family in the United States and to receive the advanced treatment she needs as a result of complications related to the poor care she received with her first cancer operation in the Soviet Union. Mrs. Makavoz needs to receive a Soviet exit visa and expedited entrance into the United States immediately. so that she may receive this much needed treatment. On July 3. 1991. she received refugee status. To date. Mrs. Makavoz has still not been allowed to emigrate. despite her desperate circumstances. Though thousands have been able to leave the Soviet Union. hundreds more remain on the refusenik list and thousands more are not even allowed to apply for emigration because of their supposed security value to the Soviet Union. Although the Soviet legislature had codified this new emigration policy. in light of the events of the last month. the new Soviet Government must continue these important steps. The full implementation of the Soviet emigration bill is scheduled for 1993. It is my sincere hope that further steps are taken under the new spirit of democracy in the Soviet Union to allow those who wish to emigrate. like Mrs. Makavoz. to do so. and to do so immediately.*