Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Report on human rights. Nomination by 11 congmen. of the Helsinki Watch group in USSR for Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 noted; group's purpose is to monitor USSR 's compliance or noncompliance with Helsinki Agreement's human rights provisions. Group's nomination for peace prize by parliamentarians in Belgium and Norway mentioned. Troubles of Anatoly Shcharansky noted.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(No location given) Film of Shcharansky,taken in Moscow with amateur movie equipment and smuggled to West, shown; his leadership status in dissident groups cited. Is noted that Shcharansky is Jewish; his arrest last year after being refused permission to leave USSR mentioned. Shcharansky's wife, Natasha, is in West [Natasha SHCHARANSKY - says husband was hope and comfort for people w%o believe in freedom and human rights.] Details of couple's separation and of Shcharansky's activities in USSR given. Secretly filmed interview shown. [SHCHARANSKY - cites reactions of ordinary Russians to dissidents' demonstrations.] ["Los Angeles Times" reporter Robert TOTH - describes view of Shcharansky and his activities.] Film made with other dissidents in Moscow hotel shown. [SHCHARANSKY - describes persecution he's undergone. Says friends now serving long prison terms.] Film of President Carter shown. [CARTER - outlines commitment to human rights.] Sovs.' crackdown on dissidents and imprisonment of Alexander Ginzburg, Yuri Orlov and Shcharansky reported "Izvestia's" accusation that Shcharansky passed papers to CIA agents with United States embassy and American press, include Alfred Friendly, who formerly worked with "Newsweek" magazine, noted. [FRIENDLY - isn't and hasn't been CIA agent and doesn't believe colleagues or embassy people were. Cites Shcharansky's following by KGB agents as reason he wouldn't have been used as contact anyway.] Choices Sovs. have in charging Shcharansky, which there are signs they may soon do, outlined and effect of either choice on those involved stated. Clandestine film of Shcharansky and others celebrating Passover shown. [Natasha SHCHARANSKY - says it's impossible to live if she doesn't see husband.]
REPORTER: Robert Hager