One U.S. Firm Agrees to Raise Jewish Issue in Trade Talks with Russians

The American Federation for Soviet Jews says it is satisfied with the response it has received so far in its campaign aimed at persuading American firms doing business with the Soviet Union to bring up the question of Soviet Jews at future trade talks with the Russians. The Federation has approached 61 American corporations in what it calls its “Trade for Freedom” program. According to Arnold Schlissel, a spokesman for the group, 25 percent of the companies have responded to date.

Only one, North American Rockwell, an aerospace manufacturer of El Segundo, Calif., offered a firm promise to raise the subject of Soviet Jews “should the opportunity present itself for discussion in any of our international dealings.” Three firms, IBM of Armonk, N.Y., Armco Steel of Middletown, Ohio and Hercules Chemicals of Wilmington, Del. said flatly that they could not comply with the request on grounds that such matters are in the sphere of government, not private corporations.

According to Schlissel, the rest of the companies responding expressed “sympathy” but offered no commitment for concrete action. Many of them said they planned no trade talks with the Soviet Union at this time. Schlissel said the Federation intended to approach the stockholders of the various firms.

The response from North American Rockwell was addressed to Morris Brafman, president of the Federation who wrote identical letters to the 51 companies describing his group as “an organization of academics, professionals and business executives dedicated to aiding the Jews of the USSR.” C.E. Harrington, director of international operations of the firm wrote, “Please be assured that North American Rockwell has the sincere interests of the Jewish community both in the United States and abroad in our minds and dealings in all of our international activities.” His letter stated further that “We firmly believe that all segments of the world population should not be inhibited by unnecessary restrictions imposed by national governments on a free society. Should the opportunity present itself for discussion in any of our international dealings, we would certainly be willing to express our views on this subject in the hope that it would enhance the removal of restrictions on the freedom of Jews unwillingly held in the Soviet Union.”

The “Trade for Freedom” campaign suggests that “A great deal can be accomplished by industrialists dealing across the bargaining table,” It said its aim was to reach agreement whereby the Soviet Union will allow all Jews who wish to leave the USSR to do so and will permit Jews to apply for exit visas without harassment, dismissal from jobs, loss of housing and blacklisting. The Federation also seeks, through trade talks by American firms, to help secure the release of Jewish political prisoners. In return for such agreements, the Federation said the USSR could be assured of “an end to world protest directed at the Soviet Union” and “active support of American Jewry on behalf of the principle of increased trade with the Soviet Union.”