Soviet Union: Freedom Now, 16 Years Late

Soviet Dissident Iosif Begun has had a tumultuous year. Last February, after a series of public protests, the Soviet Union’s best-known refusenik was abruptly released from labor camp after serving 3 1/2 years on charges stemming from his activities as a Hebrew teacher. Last week Begun, 55, again got some good news. Soviet authorities announced that they were approving his 16-year-old request to emigrate to Israel.

Begun’s elderly mother and his wife Inna will also be allowed to leave, along with more than a dozen other Soviet Jews who have been campaigning for exit permits for years. Moscow’s move is evidently intended to gain favor with the West in anticipation of a summit this fall between President Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev.