Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Emigration
of Soviet Jews
(March 27, 1990)
The United States has long championed the right to
emigrate from the Soviet Union and has welcomed Soviet decisions enabling
greater numbers of Soviet citizens to choose to leave. That many Soviet
Jews are going to Israel is a historic event. The President is disappointed,
therefore, at the unfortunate developments of recent days which have
had the effect of severely limiting the passage out of the U.S.S.R.
of large numbers of Soviet Jews heading to Israel via Hungary. Especially
disturbing is the decision by the Hungarian airline Malev -- citing
terrorist threats -- to restrict travel opportunities for Soviet Jews.
The Polish Government has expressed its willingness
to consider expanding transit for Soviet Jews through Poland. We applaud
such a resolute approach and call upon other nations, particularly in
Eastern Europe, to do the same. We urge Hungary's airline to reconsider
its position. We also urge the Soviet Union once again to implement
the agreement with Israel for direct flights.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |