Speech #1020148535

We know it is not binding. but it does send a clear signal. I trust we will pass it with heavy votes in favor of it because it is the right thing to do. Providing refugee settlement loan guarantees for Israel is in the best interests of the United States. Our policy since 1974 has been focused on gaining the freedom of emigration from the former Soviet Union. With the passage of the JacksonVanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974. this country went clearly on the record that it will not tolerate the then Soviet Union refusing and discriminating against any of its citizens who seek permission to leave that country. How many in this body have visited the Soviet Union? How many have gone out and talked to the refuseniks? Not all are Jews. some are Baptist. some are of other Christian faiths who wanted to emigrate from that country. and by merely filing an application for immigration. they lost their jobs and their housing. Some of them were actually put in Jail. Then comes the 1975 Helsinki Final Act which the Soviet Union signed. along with 34 other countries. including the United States. which guarantees to each citien of. each signatory country the right to emigrate and to travel without the Government arbitrarily refusing their right to so do. The former Soviet Union said no. And it was not until the brave leadership of Gorbachev did the Soviets finally realize that you cannotyou cannotsnuff out the inherent freedom of movement. freedom of conscience. and the freedom of press.