WERE THERE RIGHTS IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION?
by Sharon Rondeau
(Jul. 24, 2012) — Dr. and Atty. Orly Taitz, who grew up under Soviet totalitarianism, has been asked to participate in a documentary about Russian dissidents who were allowed to leave the country as a result of the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
As a result of the amendment, sponsored by Sen. Henry Jackson and Rep. Charles Vanik and signed by President Gerald Ford, Taitz said that 1,500,000 Jews were allowed to leave Russia.
The Act,s part of the 1974 Trade Act, was directed to all “non-market economies” of the eastern European bloc. Cuba and North Korea continue to be considered out of compliance with U.S. standards necessary to enter into trade agreements.
In 1972, the Soviet Union had begun to levy a significant fee on all Jews wishing to leave the country.
Taitz told The Post & Email that former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has also been asked to be interviewed for the documentary. Several other Russian immigrants who came to the United States as a result of the legislation and described as having become “prominent members of society” have been asked to participate.
Several radio stations are involved in assembling the film, including radio show host Leonid Komarovsky, who is a Russian immigrant. Dr. Taitz said that she has been a guest on Komarovsky’s radio show previously, most recently on July 23, 2012.
The amendment was passed to limit trade with the former Soviet Union in an effort to promote “free emigration” and human rights in communist regimes. At that time, people were not permitted to exit the country without the express permission of the communists in power. Those who attempted to escape were imprisoned or worse.
In the 1970s, many Jews demonstrated for the right to leave the Soviet Union for Israel, as they were forbidden to practice their religion.
In May of last year, a lawsuit was filed to overturn the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which some view as restrictive of trade between the U.S. and Russia given the change in Russian’s government. Early this spring, Congress discussed repealing the measure at the suggestion of Vice President Joe Biden, although given the fall of the communist bloc in 1989-1991, it is often not observed.
Taitz has filed numerous lawsuits and ballot challenges to obtain access to the original birth record of Barack Hussein Obama allegedly held by the Hawaii Department of Health. She currently has six active cases, including challenges in Mississippi and Indiana as well as a case contending that Obama is using a stolen social security number filed with the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC. On July 21, Taitz received written notification from the Attorney General of Indiana stating that several causes of action filed there “are not dismissed with prejudice.”