Lifting of Head Tax for Few Families Not a Trend, Maass Says

The Soviet Union’s reported granting of emigration to 19 Jewish families without payment of the new emigration taxes was welcomed today by Richard Maass, executive director of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry. But Maass, noting that “at this time it does not appear to be a trend,” warned that “If this was timed so that the news would dissuade Americans from their efforts in terms of the total situation, it will backfire because Americans will not accept less than a real reversal in policy.” Maass said “pressure in the US on the part of outraged citizens” was “instrumental” in gaining the 19 families’ exit.