Canadian Government Intercedes on Behalf of Soviet Jews; Trudeau Personally Involved

Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau has announced that the Canadian government has made known to the Soviet Ambassador its concern over the treatment of Jews in the Soviet Union and said he would pursue the matter further when he visited the USSR in the spring. In making the announcement. Trudeau made it clear that normally his government would not intervene in the internal affairs of another nation since pressures may cause a “hardening of attitudes.” However, he added, because the Soviet Union has shown sensitivity by criticism on the issue of Soviet Jewry, Canada will continue using whatever constructive opportunities arise, in public or private, to help alleviate the plight of the Soviet Jews. “To this end,” he said. “We are holding continuing discussions with Jewish organizations in Canada and the topic will be very much on my mind during my visit to the USSR next spring.”