B’nai B’rith International has expressed concern that pending legislation that would seemingly make it harder for the Soviet Union to receive most-favored-nation trade benefits from the United States may in fact dilute the effectiveness of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
The legislation, in the form of an amendment to the military budget bill adopted by the Senate by a voice vote May 13, would require the president to certify to Congress in writing that the Soviet Union or any other country is “in substantially complete compliance” with the human rights provisions of the Helsinki Accords, before it could receive the trade benefits.
(The House bill does not contain the provision, but observers expect it to go along when the Senate-House conference committees iron out the differences in the two bills.)
The amendment, introduced by Sen. James McClure (R-Idaho), goes beyond the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which withholds most-favored-nation status for the Soviet Union until emigration from the USSR is increased.
The legislation defines “substantially complete compliance” as upholding the Helsinki Accords “with any violations clearly the rare and exceptional act of local authorities contrary to established policy and generally observed practice in such country.”
Seymour Reich, president of B’nai B’rith International, said in a statement that this was a “wholly unrealistic demand” that would “effectively neutralize the intent and effectiveness of Jackson-Vanik.”
ILL-CONCEIVED MEASURE
He urged Congress to reject this “ill-conceived measure, which can only discourage the Kremlin from further relaxing its emigration policies.”
In urging adoption of the amendment, McClure told the Senate that he was acting because of reports that the Reagan administration was considering granting most-favored-nation status to the Soviets.
H.D. Palmer, McClure’s press secretary, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Tuesday that the purpose of the amendment was not to dilute Jackson-Vanik.
He said its aim was to induce compliance by the Soviets with the whole range of human rights provisions of the Helsinki Accords, including emigration, if the Soviet wanted to be included as a most favored nation.
At a news conference in Moscow last week, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev made no secret of the importance he places on increased trade with the United States.
Gorbachev also specifically attacked the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, charging that the USSR has been receiving “unfavored-nation treatment.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
