January 16, 1973
Dear Mr. President,
We address you to express our serious concern over the obstacles and hardships imposed by the Soviet Government on the right of scientists and academicians to leave the U.S.S.R. and to travel abroad.
We strongly favor expansion of scientific exchange between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. and staunchly support the spirit of the recent bilateral agreements. But, our readiness, personal and professional, to welcome Soviet scientists to our research centers and laboratories will be impaired by the awareness that many of our colleagues in the U.S.S.R. are prohibited from travelling abroad and pursuing their scientific careers wherever they may choose.
A wide range of punitive sanctions have been taken against scientists who have applied to emigrate from the U.S.S.R.:  dismissal from positions, prohibition on scientific research, public harassment, arbitrary refusal of exit permits, and finally imposition of harsh and unreasonable head taxes.
We are profoundly disturbed at these violations of basic human rights. As scientists, moreover, we are especially alarmed at a policy that undercuts one of the foundations of science -- its international character, which presupposes the free flow of people and ideas.
We ask you, Mr. President, to take note of our deep concern and to do everything in your power to alleviate this situation of international significance.
Ad hoc Committee of Scientists
Robert S. Adelstein
Christian B. Anfinsen
Julius Axelrod
Jack S. Cohen
Philip Leder
Maxine Singer
Bernhard Witkop
Earl R. Stadtman