[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2869-S2870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 19--CONCERNING ANTI-SEMITIC STATEMENTS 
          MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE DUMA OF THE RUSSIA FEDERATION

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr. 
Abraham, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Reid, Mr. Burns, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. 
Cleland, and Mr. Feingold) submitted the following concurrent 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 19

       Whereas the world has seen in the 20th century the 
     disastrous results of ethnic, religious, and racial 
     intolerance;
       Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation is on 
     record, through obligations freely accepted as a 
     participating state of the Organization on Security and 
     Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as pledging to ``clearly and 
     equivocally condemn totalitarianism, racial and ethnic 
     hatred, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and discrimination against 
     anyone . . .'';
       Whereas at two public rallies in October 1998, Communist 
     Party member of the Duma, Albert Makashov, blamed ``the 
     Yids'' for Russia's current problems;
       Whereas in November 1998, attempts by members of the 
     Russian Duma to formally censure Albert Makashov were blocked 
     by members of the Communist Party;
       Whereas in December 1998, the chairman of the Duma Security 
     Committee and Communist Party member, Viktor Ilyukhin, blamed 
     President Yeltsin's ``Jewish entourage'' for alleged 
     ``genocide against the Russian people'';
       Whereas in response to the public outcry over the above-
     noted anti-Semitic statements, Communist Party chairman 
     Gennadi Zyuganov claimed in December 1998 that such 
     statements were a result of ``confusion'' between Zionism and 
     ``the Jewish question''; and
       Whereas during the Soviet era, the Communist Party 
     leadership regularly used ``anti-Zionist campaigns'' as an 
     excuse to persecute and discriminate against Jews in the 
     Soviet Union: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) condemns anti-Semitic statements made by members of the 
     Russian Duma;
       (2) commends actions taken by members of the Russian Duma 
     to condemn anti-Semitic statements made by Duma members;
       (3) commends President Yeltsin and other members of the 
     Russian Government for condemning anti-Semitic statements 
     made by Duma members; and
       (4) reiterates its firm belief that peace and justice 
     cannot be achieved as long as governments and legislatures 
     promote policies based upon anti-Semitism, racism, and 
     xenophobia.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, although Communism released its 
oppressive grip on the people of Russia nearly ten years ago, its 
fingerprints of racism and ethnic intolerance persist. Today, I call 
the attention of my colleagues to the troubling surge of anti-Semitic 
rhetoric by the Russian Duma's Communist Party leaders who have sought 
to place the blame of Russia's social and economic ills on its Jewish 
community. As the new co-chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I am 
submitting a resolution to help address this disturbing situation. This

[[Page S2870]]

resolution is a companion to H.Con.Res. 37 which was introduced by 
Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the Helsinki Commission.
  In October of last year, General Albert Makashov, Communist Party 
member of the Duma, insulted and threatened the Jewish community with 
physical retribution for what he asserted as being a cause of Russia's 
current instabilities. When other members of the Duma sought to censure 
General Makashov for his comments, Communist party members blocked the 
measure on two different occasions and the Duma failed to condemn his 
statements. Then in December, Viktor Ilyukhin, Communist Party member 
and Chairman of the Security Committee, asserted that the Jews were 
committing `genocide against the Russian people'. He further referenced 
the influence of President Yeltsin's `Jewish entourage' and called for 
ethnic quotas in these posts to counter Jewish influence.
  It is imperative that the Russian Duma be sent a clear message that 
these expressions of racism and ethnic hatred will not go unnoticed by 
the U.S.
  Today, I am joined by Senators Lautenberg, Abraham, Smith of Oregon, 
Brownback, Torricelli, Reid, Cleland, Burns, and Feingold in submitting 
a resolution which condemns these anti-Semitic statements made by the 
Russian Duma. It likewise commends the actions taken by those in the 
Duma who sought to censure the Communist Party leaders and commends 
President Yeltsin for his forceful rejection of the statements. This 
resolution also reiterates the firm belief of the Congress that peace 
and justice cannot be achieved as long as governments and legislatures 
promote policies based upon anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia.
  In light of Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov's upcoming visit to the 
U.S., this resolution is especially timely. I urge my colleagues to 
support this important resolution which underscores the U.S. commitment 
to religious freedom and human rights.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the 
resolution condemning anti-Semitic statements by Russian political 
leaders and commending President Yeltsin and others for raising their 
voices against such hateful speech.
  Anti-Semitism in Russia is not a new phenomenon. Throughout Russia's 
history, Jews have often been singled out for persecution during times 
of crisis. It happened in the seventeenth century, when a reign of 
terror was unleashed against Jews in Eastern and Central Europe, and it 
happened in the pogroms of World War I, when entire Jewish communities 
were annihilated. In short, when there's trouble in Russia, Jews are 
usually the first to be blamed. Anti-Semitic comments coming from high-
ranking officials in Russia in recent months are particularly 
worrisome. They come at a time when Russia should be overcoming its 
troubled past and rejoining the world community by honoring freedom of 
religion, free speech and other human rights.
  The anti-Semitic statements made by prominent Russian officials are 
well known by now: Last November, retired General Albert Makashov 
blamed the country's economic crisis on ``yids.'' In an open letter, 
Gennady Zyuganov, the Communist Party chief, voiced his belief of a 
Zionist conspiracy to seize power in Russia. Another top Communist 
lawmaker, Viktor Ilyukhin, accused Jews of waging ``genocide'' in the 
country.
  Officials in the Russian government have criticized these statements. 
Yet not so long ago, Russian President Yeltsin went ahead with a summit 
with his counterpart, Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko, who 
himself blamed Jewish financiers and political reformers ``for the 
creation of the criminal economy.'' Alexander Lebed, a top contender 
for the presidential post in the 2000 elections, has also made negative 
remarks about several religious groups.
  We in Congress have asked senior Administration officials to lodge 
our protests against the anti-Semitic comments made by Russian leaders. 
During her recent trip to Moscow, Secretary Albright did exactly that 
and received assurances that anti-Semitism has no place in Russia. The 
Administration will have another opportunity to voice our concern when 
Vice President Gore receives Russia's Prime Minister Primakov next 
week.
  I will closely be watching events in Russia to ensure the government 
is in compliance with its international human rights commitments. There 
has been concern that the country's religion law, passed in 1997, cedes 
too much authority to local officials. The omnibus appropriations bill 
for 1999 directs a cutoff of Freedom Support Act aid to Russia unless 
the President determines and certifies that Moscow hasn't implemented 
statutes, regulations or executive orders that would discriminate 
against religious groups. That certification must be made by late 
April. I hope certification, as well as the International Religious 
Freedom Act, passed last year, will be strong incentives for Russian 
leaders to reverse a troubling anti-democratic trend.
  As you know, in 1989 I authored legislation making it easier for Jews 
and members of other persecuted religious groups in the former Soviet 
Union to obtain refugee status in the United States. I introduced this 
law because I felt deeply that religious freedom was a basic human 
right, which was anathema under the Soviet system of government. Recent 
events in Russia convince me my legislation remains very necessary and 
I will be asking my colleagues to support an extension again this year.
  During a trip to Poland last year, President Kwasniewski and Prime 
Minister Buzek reached out to the Jewish community to help bridge the 
gap between Poles and Jews. This is a difficult and long-term process, 
but at least leaders across the political spectrum are making a real 
effort to heal wounds and create a more welcome climate for Jews in 
Poland. I welcome President Yeltsin's rejections of anti-Semitism and I 
hope more members of the Duma will speak out in this manner.
  I want also to pay tribute to Parliamentarian Galina Starovoitova, a 
steadfast supporter of human rights and democracy, who was shot dead 
last November in the entry way of her St. Petersburg apartment 
building. Ms. Starovoitova, a non-Jew, was a leading voice in 
condemning anti-Semitism in Russian society. Her courage will be sorely 
missed.
  Congress understands Russia cannot be a great democracy until it 
makes progress in human rights, and doesn't revert to past practices. 
Russia's leaders must come to the same conclusion. We must all work 
together to reach a common goal--helping Russia integrate into the 
international community.
  Mr. President, I urge all my colleagues to support this timely 
resolution.

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