Lindsay Tells Moscow Jews There is a ‘glimmer of Hope’ for Exit Visas

Mayor John V. Lindsay told a group of Jewish scientists and Intellectuals in Moscow last night that there was “a glimmer of hope” that they might get the exit visas so far denied them by Soviet authorities. Lindsay spoke for 2 1/2 hours with seven Moscow Jews who, through an interpreter, told him of their struggle to emigrate and the humiliation and harassment they have suffered as a result.

According to reports from the Soviet capital today, Lindsay met with the Jewish activists at a suite in Moscow’s posh Sovietskaya Hotel where visiting dignitaries stay. Earlier in the day he met with Premier Alexei Kosygin and Deputy Interior Minister Boris T. Shumilin with whom he reportedly brought up the problem of Jewish emigration.

Lindsay told his Jewish visitors that he could not reveal the nature of his conversation with the Soviet leaders because ground rules made them private, “I will say that there is a glimmer of hope,” he said. He pledged that he would continue to do whatever he could for the 223 Jewish families, mostly professionals, who are making a public fight for visas.

PROMYSLOV SUGGESTED HOTEL MEETING

His visitors included Dr. Benjamin Levich, 56, a world-famed theoretical physicist who was fired from Moscow University after applying for a visa in March, 1972 and now faces expulsion from the Soviet Academy of Science where he was demoted from a department head to the status of technical worker.

Others who met with Lindsay included Vladimir Slepak, 45, a physicist who was dropped from his post as a laboratory chief in the TV Research Institute and now works as an 80-ruble-a-month bottle washer. Levich’s son, Evgeny, 25, also attended the meeting.

Lindsay had reportedly intended to meet with the Jewish activists at one of their homes. But his host, Mayor Vladimir F. Promyslov, reportedly said if would be more proper for the Jews to visit him at the hotel. Lindsay is in Moscow to return Promyslov’s visit to New York last Feb. He arrived in Moscow last Thursday.

Meanwhile, Dr. Henry Kissinger, President Nixon’s national security advisor, left Moscow today after a five-day visit. He described his talks with Soviet leaders as “very cordial.” During his visit he reportedly discussed trade and arms control with Soviet leaders and arrangements for Communist Party General Secretary Leonid I. Brezhnev’s visit to the U.S. this summer. Dr. Kissinger said there would have to be “more exchanges” before the Brezhnev visit is formally announced. He gave no indication whether he had raised the problem of Soviet Jews with his hosts.