One hundred and eighteen Jewish families in the Soviet Union have written President Francois Mitterrand asking him to help them obtain an exit visa and leave for Israel. A copy of the letter was made available to French reporters in Moscow. The 118 families from Moscow, Leningrad, Odessa and other major cities, said they “feel no hostility towards the Soviet Union” but want to leave for their own country, Israel. They said their departure is urgent because of their “unbearable conditions.” Jewish sources say that over 25,000 Jews in the Soviet Union are still waiting for their exit visas. The Soviet authorities have granted only 222 visas during the first four months of 1984.
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