NCSJ- Bush letter

The letter, addressed to NCSJ Chairman Harold Paul Luks and Executive Director Mark B. Levin, reports on President Bush’s meetings last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin: “we discussed a matter of particular importance to the American Jewish community: the ‘graduation’ of Russia from the provisions of the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment…”

Representing the organized American Jewish community, NCSJ is working closely with the Bush administration and with key Members of Congress to ensure a continued U.S. commitment to religious freedom and minority rights in the Russian Federation.

The President further wrote: “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.”

Presidents Putin and Bush at Crawford High School in Texas, November 15

“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.”

NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia – a voluntary, not-for-profit agency created in 1971, is the mandated central coordinating agency of the organized American Jewish community for policy and activities on behalf of the estimated 1.5 million Jews in the former Soviet Union. NCSJ comprises nearly 50 national organizations and over 300 local federations, community councils and committees across the United States. Through this extensive network, NCSJ mobilizes the resources, energies and talents of millions of U.S. citizens, and also represents the American Jewish community in dealings with similar national groups abroad, and at international fora.

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