[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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