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London Group Reports on Sending Gift Parcels to Jews in Russia

November 18, 1964
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The Association of Baltic Jews reported today that it has received several letters in recent weeks from Jewish families in Russia, which were sent gift parcels, that the recipients do not need foreign gifts.

The Association, which has been sending such gift parcels for the past 20 years, said such writers are removed from its lists. The parcels contain items of clothing on which Soviet customs duties are paid in London in sterling. Association officials said that the program is continuing for other Jews on the list and no difficulties are being encountered by the recipients, as is indicated by the fact that receipts for the parcels are being sent to the Association in the usual way.

Recently, however, the Vilno Radio in Lithuania, where many Catholics receive parcels from United States friends and relatives, declared that such parcels give the impression in other countries that Soviet citizens are short of the necessities of life and that this is being used for anti-Soviet propaganda purposes. The broadcast also said, however, that it was pleasant to note that children remember aged parents and often make sacrifices to try to help them.

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