[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3721-S3722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             JACKSON-VANIK

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, nearly three decades ago, a small provision 
was included in the Trade Act of 1974. While relatively small in number 
of words, this provision, known as the Jackson-Vanik amendment, helped 
open up an entire society.
  Three decades ago, during the height of the Soviet Union's power, 
Senator Henry ``Scoop'' Jackson and Representative Charles Vanik 
introduced legislation that exposed the repressive tactics of the 
Soviet Union. By focusing attention on the emigration restrictions that 
the Soviet Union placed on its Jewish citizens, the Jackson-Vanik 
amendment reiterated American concern about the wide-scale human rights 
abuses occurring in the Soviet Union. In the process, the Jackson-Vanik 
amendment played a vital role in changing Soviet society.
  Now, as the cold war recedes further into the past, it is time for 
Russia to be ``graduated'' from Jackson-Vanik. Because of the 
persistence of the Jackson-Vanik requirements, the administration must 
report semi-annually on the Russian Federation's compliance with the 
freedom of emigration requirements. This reporting requirement is a 
source of much frustration and embarrassment to our Russian friends, a 
fact that is made clear to me whenever I meet with individuals or 
groups from Russia.
  Russia has made great progress in reforming itself. Since 1994, 
consecutive administrations have noted that the Russian Federation has 
been found to be in full compliance with the freedom of emigration 
requirements under Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974. In this time, the 
United States has signed a bilateral trade agreement with Russia, and 
the Bush Administration according to its website ``has begun 
consultations with Congress and interested groups on the possibility of 
graduating Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union from 
the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment.'' Graduating Russia from 
Jackson-Vanik at this time will improve our relations with Russia while 
enabling us to reflect upon the courage of Soviet Jewry and the success 
of this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that a letter from Mr. 
Leonid Nevzlin, former President of the Russian Jewish Congress and a 
current member of the Russian Senate, be printed in the Record 
following my statement.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1.)

[[Page S3722]]

  Mr. LEVIN. This letter states that ``there should be no doubt that 
the Jewish community believes the Jackson-Vanik requirements have been 
met in terms of immigration and freedom of movement in today's 
Russia.''
  This bill, which Senator Baucus is introducing and which I am pleased 
to co-sponsor, would enhance relations between the United States and 
Russia. While recognizing the advances made by Russia, the legislation 
also ensures that Congress can continue to play a meaningful role in 
addressing trade disputes with Russia and in setting the terms of World 
Trade Organization, WTO, accession for Russia.
  While this legislation grants Permanent Normal Trade Relations, PNTR, 
to the Russian Federation, it does not abrogate the rights of Congress 
to comment on Russia's accession to the WTO nor does it remain silent 
about the need for continued progress by the Russian Federation with 
regard to human rights matters.
  The Jackson-Vanik amendment was but one part of the Trade Act of 1974 
that addressed trade with nonmarket economies. Recognizing the trade 
policy aspects of ``graduating'' a country from Jackson-Vanik, Congress 
has traditionally granted PNTR to a country subject to Jackson-Vanik 
only at the time of its accession to the WTO. This practice has given 
Congress the ability to voice its approval for the terms by which a 
nation accedes to the WTO. The terms for Russia's WTO accession are 
still being discussed, and even though this legislation would provide 
PNTR for Russia before those terms are final it also provides Congress 
with the means to comment on those terms and voice its approval or 
disapproval for them.
  This legislation addresses the concerns of the Jackson-Vanik 
Amendment while preserving Congress' ability to play a key role in 
discussions about Russia's accession to the WTO. In a piece encouraging 
the ending of Jackson-Vanik's applicability for Russia, the Israel 
Policy Forum stated that: ``things change. Old empires disappear. Old 
enemies become new friends. History's challenge is to anticipate its 
direction and move along with it.''
  This legislation recognizes the profound changes wrought by the 
Jackson-Vanik Amendment while acknowledging our need to move forward as 
we continue to engage with Russia on matters of human rights and trade.

                               Exhibit 1

                                                    June 27, 2002.
     Hon. Carl Levin,
     United States Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Levin: I am pleased we had an opportunity to 
     meet when I was in Washington, DC last week. Your long-
     standing interest to promoting closer working relationships 
     between the U.S. Senate and the Russian parliament is much 
     appreciated.
       As promised, I am sending a copy of my letter, as president 
     of the Russian Jewish Congress, to Presidents Bush and Putin 
     expressing support for repeal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. 
     I prepared the letter some time ago and it is surprising that 
     more people in the U.S. Senate were unaware that it had been 
     sent. There should be no doubt that the Jewish community 
     believes the Jackson-Vanik requirements have been met in 
     terms of immigration and freedom of movement in today's 
     Russia.
       I have also taken note of your concerns about the sale of 
     dual use technology to Iran and Iraq. In this regard, as you 
     recall I proposed in our meeting that our two chambers 
     establish a framework to assess how we can both develop 
     greater cooperation on matters of mutual concern. I am very 
     pleased that both you and Chairman Biden encouraged me to 
     develop such a framework and look forward to working with 
     both of you to see that this is accomplished.
       On another matter, I know of your interest in reducing 
     America's dependence on oil shipments from Middle East 
     countries and though you would like to know that Russian oil 
     company YUKOS, will be delivering the first load of Russian 
     oil to Houston, Texas soon. I am confident that Russia could 
     be a reliable supplier and would welcome the opportunity to 
     work with you and others in Congress on initiatives that 
     would encourage this development.
       It is my hope to build a closer working relationship with 
     select members of the U.S. Senate in order to take a fresh 
     approach to a new set of challenges that beset both our 
     countries.
       In recognition of the upcoming celebration of America's 
     Independence Day on July 4, I extend my best wishes to you, 
     as representative of the people, for your country's 
     remarkable achievement.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Leonid Nevzlin,
            Senator, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Foreign 
     Affairs, Council of Federation of Russian Parliament.

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