On the Right

New York, June 30—Mr. Brezhnev says he simply cannot understand why any American legislator would want anything to stand in the way of improved relations with the Soviet Union in general, and improved commercial relations with the Soviet Union in particular. Specifically he argues against the Jackson Amendment, which would deny commercial advantages to the Soviet Union unless it repealed the emigration tax which it levies in particular against Jews who desire to emigrate to Israel.

In pursuit of this goal, Mr. Brezhnev invited top legislative leaders to lunch and talked to them for several hours. His approach was what one might call Russian Heavy. To Senator Frank Church, he said, “I have seen pictures of you and I always knew I would like you when I met you.” Senator Church did not wince, although no doubt it crossed his mind that the men Brezhnev has liked during his long public career have been those who have shown themselves professionally adept at tyranny, partners in the enterprise described by Mr. Henry Kamm of the New York Times a year or so back as “the greatest assault ever mounted upon the human spirit.”

About the Author

William F. Buckley Jr.

William F. Buckley Jr. founded National Review magazine in 1955.

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New York, June 30—Mr. Brezhnev says he simply cannot understand why any American legislator would want anything to stand in the way of improved relations with the Soviet Union in general, and improved commercial relations with the Soviet Union in particular. Specifically he argues against the Jackson Amendment, which would deny commercial advantages to the Soviet Union unless it repealed the emigration tax which it levies in particular against Jews who desire to emigrate to Israel.

In pursuit of this goal, Mr. Brezhnev invited top legislative leaders to lunch and talked to them for several hours. His approach was what one might call Russian Heavy. To Senator Frank Church, he said, “I have seen pictures of you and I always knew I would like you when I met you.” Senator Church did not wince, although no doubt it crossed his mind that the men Brezhnev has liked during his long public career have been those who have shown themselves professionally adept at tyranny, partners in the enterprise described by Mr. Henry Kamm of the New York Times a year or so back as “the greatest assault ever mounted upon the human spirit.”