Your interest and concern over the fate of the seven Pentecostals
who have been residing in the basement of the U.S. Embassy in
Moscow is sincerely appreciated. As you know, since the seven
rushed into the Embassy on June 27, 1978, over three and a half
years ago, they have waited patiently for the Soviet Union to
grant them their requested exit visas. As religious Pentecostals
they have been prevented from exercising their right to freely
practice their religion. Late last year Lidiya and Augustina
Vashchenko began a hunger strike to dramatize their plight and
on January 30, 1982 Lidiya was taken to Botkin Hospital because
of her deteriorating health.

We ask that you continue to work on behalf of the Pentecostals
by issuing another statement in support of their petition to
emigrate. In light of Lidiya's recent hospitalization, we ask
that you call on the Soviet Government to refrain from taking
advantage of her condition to take punitive steps against her or
her family. We ask that you call on the Soviets to allow Lidiya
to return to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, pending receipt of
exit visas for the two families, as soon as she is medically able.
Finally, we ask that you urge the Soviets to honor the seven's
request for permission to emigrate so that they may be allowed to
practice their religious beliefs in freedom.

We thank you for your expressed concern in the past and hope you
will take this opportunity to once again register your concern
of the United States on this matter.