AFL-CIO president George Meany has declared that “under no present circumstances should the Soviet Union be granted” most favored nation status from the United States. Meany’s statement followed the White House announcement that the Soviet leadership has “suspended” the education tax on Jews seeking to leave for Israel.
“The President has no solid evidence that the Soviet Union has abolished or will abolish its infamous head tax.” said Meany’s statement made available to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today. “There is no evidence at all that the Soviet Union would keep its promise even if it made such a pledge openly and publicly which it has not done. Indeed the Soviet Union has an unbroken record of breaking its word every time she gives it.”
Meany urged the 76 Senators who have already declared their opposition to granting the Soviet Union MFN status pending its removal of restrictions on emigration “not to weaken in the face of the White House campaign. There is no present indication that the Soviet Union has earned or deserves any special concessions paid for by the American taxpayer,” Meany added.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
