Nine Soviet Jewish Scientists Appeal to International Scientific Bodies

Nine Soviet Jewish scientists who were fired from their jobs after applying for visas to go to Israel and whose visa requests were rejected, have appealed for help to international scientific bodies abroad. The text of the appeal, just released, noted that “The Soviet authorities particularly tried to oppose the departure of professional people” and called this “amoral and contrary to the letter and spirit of international agreements and declarations.”

The scientists said, “At present we are debarred from scientific work, from teaching and from associating with our colleagues. The International character of science gives us the right to appeal to you for help.” The appeal was sent to the International Amalgamation of Electronic Societies; the International Federation of Automatic Controls; the International Mathematical Union; and the International Federation for Information Processing.

The group of nine is headed by Prof. Alexander Lerner, the famous computer expert and professor of cybernetics in Moscow. The other signatories were Dr. Roman Rutman, Vladimir Vaksman, Viacheslav Hauchman, Leonid Frank, Viktor Polsky, Joseph Begun, Vladimir Slepak, and Lev Libov.

SCHEUER ARRESTED IN SCIENTIST’S HOME

An American Congressman, Rep. James Scheuer (D.,N.Y.) was arrested by Soviet police while a guest in Prof. Lerner’s home in Moscow last night. Scheuer, who has been touring Soviet educational institutions with a Congressional study group, was detained for 40 minutes in a Moscow jail along with Lerner’s son, Vladimir. Both were released.

The police reportedly entered Lerner’s apartment allegedly looking for a wanted criminal masquerading as a foreigner. The Congressman for some reason was unable to produce his passport and was arrested, Jewish sources in Russia said the police raid was a deliberate harassment of Prof. Lerner since it was obvious that he was not harboring criminals.