Dole Suggests Examining a More ‘effective Alternative’ to J/v Amendment to Help Increase Jewish Emig

Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole (R. Kans.) has suggested examining whether a more “effective alternative” to the Jackson-Vanik Amendment can be found to help bring about increased Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union.

But in a recent speech to the American Committee on East-West Accord, which seeks to promote U.S.-Soviet trade, Dole stressed that neither he nor any other Senator would propose a new policy unless it has bipartisan support and was backed by the Reagan Administration and Jewish groups.

The amendment, named for the late Sen. Henry Jackson (D. Wash.) and former Rep. Charles Vanik (D. Ohio), has been in force since 1974. It links most-favored-nation trade status for the Soviet Union with increased emigration.

AMENDMENT HAS MET WITH MIXED RESULTS

“I think it is fair to say it has met with mixed results,” Dole said in his address. “The Soviets are offended by the fact that we try to impose restrictions and try to say unless you do this, we are not going to trade with you.”

The U.S. is “concerned about human rights,” he stressed. “And the very basic human right is the right to emigrate, even if it happens in the Soviet Union.”

Dole said that among the suggestions being made is to “suspend” Jackson-Vanik for a year. “If the Soviets loosen up on emigration, extend the suspension for another year, and so forth,” he explained.

He noted that the problem could also be solved in one of the forthcoming summits between President Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Dole explained his remarks in a letter to Morris Abram, chairman of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ), released to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency May 2.

NEED TO SEARCH FOR NEW WAYS

“As I have stated on a number of occasions I firmly believe that we need to search for new and better ways to increase Jewish emigration and to improve human rights behind the Iron Curtain,” Dole said. He noted that only 72 Jews were allowed to emigrate in April.

“I have no intention of proposing or supporting any new policy unless I am sure it has broad, bipartisan support and the desired effect on Soviet behavior,” Dole said. “I am encouraged by signs that some Jewish leaders may be willing to take another look at Jackson-Vanik,” he added.

The NCSJ and other Jewish groups have indicated that if there were a substantial increase in emigration they would be willing to see some changes made.

In his letter to Abram, Dole repeated the suggestion of a “temporary, experimental easing of Jackson-Vanik restrictions,” while noting that others have urged a “tougher” stand toward the Soviets.

“Above all, we must search for more effective alternatives,” Dole said. “Despite the well-publicized release of a few of the better known refuseniks, for most Soviet Jews wishing to emigrate, matters are only getting worse.”