Jackson-Vanik Letters - November 2001

 

Since October 2001, the American Jewish community’s longtime involvement has intensified regarding the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment – the groundbreaking law that ties trade benefits to freedom of emigration and human rights.  In a dramatic series of letters and public statements, U.S. and Russian leaders – and the organized Jewish community – have agreed to seek Russia’s “graduation” from Jackson-Vanik while affirming the principles of religious freedom and agreeing on the imperative of allowing Jews in Russia to continue their historic renaissance:  protection from anti-Semitism, and return of communal property (synagogues, schools, community centers, cemeteries) confiscated during the Soviet period.

The letters posted here:  

President Bush's Letter to NCSJ
Foreign Minster Ivanov's Letter to Powell
Secretary Powell's Letter to Ivanov

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The White House

November 19, 2001 Mr. Harold P. Luks Chairman NCSJ 1640 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Suite 501 Washington, D.C. 20036-3278 Dear Mr. Luks:

In my meeting last week with President Putin of Russia, we discussed a matter of particular interest to the American Jewish community: the “graduation” of Russia from the provisions of the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment that linked emigration rights from the Soviet Union to American trade policy.  Mr. Putin and I agreed that on the basis of the Russian Government’s consistent, nearly decade-long allowance of unfettered emigration, Russia merits permanent normal trade relations status.  To this end, I intend to work with the 107^th Congress to pass the necessary legislation for removing Jackson-Vanik requirements for Russia.

I know the American Jewish community maintains a great and continuing interest in the human rights situation in Russia, particularly as it affects Russian Jews.  So does my Administration.  Mr. Putin provided clear assurances that his government would take concrete actions to promote our common interest in core human rights and basic freedoms.  He stated that anti-Semitism has no place in a modern Russia.  My Administration is fully committed to work with Russia to bring about progress in human rights, including safeguarding of religious liberty, enforcement of hate crimes laws, and restitution of religious community property.

Please accept my deep appreciation for the American Jewish community’s steadfast commitment to defend the basic rights of Soviet Jewry.  Through the darkest days of the Cold War and the tumult of the post-Soviet era, American Jews never wavered in this cause.  Your decades-long struggle has won a once unthinkable victory.  Russian Jews are now free to emigrate freely from Russia.

The Jewish community has helped write a proud chapter in the history of American foreign relations, but the work is not complete.  We need your continued advocacy and support, and my Administration looks forward to working closely with you on these challenges.

Sincerely,

/s./

George W. Bush

 

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Russian Federation

November 13, 2001 His Excellency Colin H. Powell Secretary of State Of the United States of America Dear Mr. Secretary,

We welcome the decision of the U.S. Administration to seek the full and final exemption of Russia from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the 1974 Trade Act.  This step on your part would mean the elimination of one of the last vestiges of the so-called Cold War.  It will be an objective reflection of our joint efforts to enhance the Russian-American partnership.

Russia is committed to democratic values, a market economy, and the rule of law.  The fundamental objectives of our policies are to ensure personal freedom, prevent intolerance based on race, religion, and ethnicity, and our migration practices are fully compliant with the international standards.  They are set forth in the Russian Constitution, buttressed by the Law on the Freedom of Conscience and on Religious Associations, and guaranteed by the legal mechanisms of social and state regulations.

Russia is also committed to continuing its efforts to transfer religious property to religious organizations in accordance with existing Russian laws.

All this fully applies to citizens of Jewish ethnicity who enjoy all rights to the development of their cultural and religious identity, which are equal to those of other ethnic groups living in Russia, including the right to leave the country and travel abroad.  At present the Russian Jewish community is experiencing a genuine renaissance, and the government guarantees it protection against any type of religious and ethnic discrimination.  I am pleased to note that many who emigrated from Russia, including representatives of the Jewish community, have found a second home in your country.  We welcome the expanding relations with our countrymen and consider them an important link for further strengthening Russian-American relations.

Availing myself of the opportunity, I would like to reaffirm our firm commitment to these principles, which we consider an indispensable condition for Russia’s existence and development as a multiethnic country and the development of a civil society on the basis of generally recognized rules of international law and universal morality.

Sincerely,

/.s/

I. Ivanov

[translation from original Russian]

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The Secretary of State
Washington

November 13, 2001 His Excellency Igor Ivanov Minister for Foreign Affairs The Russian Federation Dear Mr. Minister:

The enactment of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment in 1974 reflected the United States’ strong opposition to restrictive Soviet emigration policies at that time.  Since then, there has been significant change in those policies.  The freedom of movement that Russian citizens enjoy today is a tribute to the progress that Russia has made and is a testament to our mutual cooperation.

More broadly, the Russian government has articulated its commitment to human rights, including freedom of emigration and freedom of religion.  We are witness to a dramatic revitalization in religious communities, including Russia’s Jewish community.  We look forward to Russia’s continued efforts to promote and expand these freedoms to the fullest extent possible.

In particular, I welcome the Russian government’s stated strong commitment to safeguarding the rights of the Russian Jewish community and other confessions and according all religious groups equal treatment under the law.  We agree that intolerance and anti-Semitism have no place in modern society, and I appreciate the Russian Government’s commitment to provide the fullest possible protections under the law in defense of religious freedom.

Recognizing the progress Russia has made in implementing freedom of emigration and confident that these changes are irreversible, the Administration has begun consultations with Congress to seek to end the Jackson-Vanik Amendment’s application to Russia.

Sincerely,

/s./

Colin L. Powell

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