The World - News from Sept. 6, 1989

The Bush Administration is considering a six-month waiting period for prospective Soviet Jewish emigres who do not have close relatives in the United States, a U.S. official said. Also under consideration is processing the refugees in Moscow, with the addition of dozens of U.S. workers to handle the load, and phasing out the offices in Vienna through which many of the refugees now pass, he said. However, State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler said: “We are not prepared to announce any policy decisions at this time.” She estimated that more than 50,000 Soviets, not all of them Jews, will apply to emigrate to the United States this year.