Soviets Warn Israel They Won’t Discuss Jewish Emigration

The Soviet Union said today it is not prepared to discuss Jewish emigration with Israel at talks scheduled next week in Finland and warned that broaching the subject would violate the already agreed upon agenda.

Chief Soviet Foreign Ministry spokesman Gennady Gerasimov made his remarks in reply to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who said Soviet Jews--not the settling of outstanding consular affairs--would be the main issue in the first meeting between the two countries in nearly 20 years.

“Israel has stated that it is prepared to put the question of Soviet Jews on the front burner (at these talks),” Gerasimov said.

“It should be noted this goes far beyond the agreed agenda for the meeting. (These talks) are not a restoration of diplomatic relations,” he said. “The main question deals with Soviet property left in Israel.”