“An historic understanding in the area of human rights,” according to Sen, Henry M. Jackson (D Wash.) “A great tribute to the deep moral feeling of our country,” asserted Sen. Jacob K. Javits (R.NY). “It has cleared the way for humanity and human rights.” declared Rep. Charles A. Vanik (D. Ohio). These were among the statements from leaders in the two-year Congressional fight for legislation tying Soviet-American trade with Soviet emigration practices.
(See separate stories dealing with reactions by American Jewish leaders, Israeli leaders and Soviet activists)
Making public Friday the letters of agreement between himself and Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, Jackson said the formula achieved was “a Joint effort of give and take by our side and the President and the Secretary of State.” Terming the formula “historic in the fact that an agreement on human rights was worked out in a trade agreement.” Jackson said the Administration-Congressional accord was “true bipartisanship” that “the American people expect of us.”
Jackson lauded his Senate colleagues and Vanik and Rep. Wilbur Mills (D.Ark.) who Introduced the Jackson/Mills-Vanik resolution in the House. Vanik obtained the 289 co-sponsors in the House that led to Its four to one victory last Dec. President Ford “deserves great credit.” Jackson said, “as does” Kissinger. Javits, lauding Jackson’s “brilliant initiative.” also praised the “extraordinary statesmanship” of Ford and Kissinger.
‘DEFINITE CHANGE IN THE SOVIET VIEW’
The Soviet assurances on emigration that Kissinger outlined to Jackson in their exchange of letters form a test of Soviet Intentions in its relations with the United States, according to Jackson and Javits.
“The key element of detente in all its manifestations is the good faith performance of this agreement.” Javits said at the White House. The assurances, he observed, have cleared the way to the new legislation on trade that will help detente but “not at the expense of human rights.”
According to Jackson, the formula represents “a definite change” in the Soviet view of human rights that “is worth trying The historic significance of this effort.” he said, is that “it has never been done before. They said it couldn’t be done. I felt it could be done because we had the bargaining chips.”
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.
