[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S3297]]
                        ANTI-SEMITISM IN RUSSIA

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to voice my 
condemnation of anti-Semitic statements given by Communist Party 
members of the Russian Duma. I believe that this is an important issued 
that must be addressed.
  The Russian Federation vowed to fight against such discrimination 
when joining the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe 
(OSCE). In order to maintain this commitment, the Russian Duma must 
censure those in its ranks failing to comply with the recognized OSCE 
resolution.
  In the U.S., Congress has joined international organizations and the 
world community in denouncing the anti-Semitic statements. House 
Concurrent Resolution 37 asserts that Congress: condemns the 
statements; commends President Boris Yeltsin and other members of the 
Russian Duma for rebuking the anti-Semitic statements; and reiterates 
our firm belief that such discrimination is counter-productive to 
efforts toward true peace and justice. Furthermore, in dialogue with 
Russian leaders the U.S. has the opportunity to combat this hate-filled 
rhetroic. I believe it is of the utmost priority that the anti-Semitic 
statements be given proper attention in discussions with Russian 
leaders.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in not only supported House 
Concurrent Resolution 37, but also in signing onto the letter to Vice-
President Al Gore raising the issue of anti-Semitism with Prime 
Minister Primakove.

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