[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1966-E1967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   STATEMENT RECOGNIZING SYRIA'S LIBERAL POLICY OF JEWISH EMIGRATION

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                           HON. TOM CAMPBELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to recognize 
with commendation that the country of Syria followed through on its 
promises regarding Jewish emigration over the past 6 years.
  Beginning in 1992, without fanfare, Syria eased its strict travel and 
emigration policies on its Jewish community. Numbering around 100,000 
at the turn of the century, the Syrian Jewish community numbered only 
approximately 5,000 by 1992. Up until 1992, Syrian Jews could only 
travel outside of the country individually, and only if family members 
remained behind. Between April and October of 1992, however, 
approximately 2,600 of this 5,000 were allowed to emigrate from Syria.
  In October of 1992, Syria temporarily suspended this eased emigration 
policy. However, in December of 1993, Secretary of State Warren 
Christopher visited the country, and in a goodwill gesture during this 
visit, President

[[Page E1967]]

Assad informed Secretary Christopher that all remaining Jewish families 
were free to leave Syria. The liberal Jewish emigration procedures soon 
resumed, and the Department of State informs me that all but 118 Jewish 
individuals have been granted exit visas and left Syria. The majority 
of these families decided to resettle in the United States, 
specifically in Brooklyn, where a thriving Syrian Jewish community of 
about 35,000 exists. The State Department reports none of these 
remaining Syrian Jews have reported Syrian government persecution, and 
that many plan to emigrate soon.
  I was first made aware of Syria's emigration policy toward its Jewish 
community when I met with President Assad this past June in Damascus. 
In discussion, President Assad referenced this emigration policy as an 
example of Syria's continuing good faith effort to propel forward the 
Middle-East peace process. He did not, but some in the Syrian 
government did, observe that no statement of acknowledgment of Syria's 
following through on its emigration commitment had ever been entered 
into the Congressional Record. I wish to correct that oversight now.
  Emigration is a basic human right that all responsible nations 
respect and allow. I commend President Assad for joining the community 
of nations that seek to guarantee this human right. In an attempt to 
create a conducive atmosphere toward fostering the peace process, 
President Assad allowed Syrian Jews to emigrate. Six years have passed 
since this policy began. It is time that recognition and approbation be 
properly given.

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