News In Brief
Washington
US leaders appeal to Soviets for better treatment of Jews
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, along with several political and religious leaders, sent a letter Wednesday to Soviet President Konstantin Chernenko asking improved treatment for Soviet Jews. The effort was organized by Sen. Charles Percy (R) of Illinois, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The letter asks that Soviet Jews be allowed to practice their religion freely and to be allowed to emigrate if they so choose, in accordance with the Helsinki accords.
Meanwhile, actress Jane Fonda received the Solidarity Award of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry for aid to economist Ida Nudel in her 10-year effort to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel.