Faster goes back to embassy

Press, 13 February 1982, Page 9

Faster goes back to embassy

NZPA-Reuter Moscow Lydia Vashchenko was reunited with other family members yesterday in the United States Embassy after her release from a Moscow hospital where she was treated after a month-long hunger strike. A black embassy van carrying Miss Vashchenko and a brother and sister from Siberia drove past Soviet police guards into the embassy compound where they were met by their parents and two sisters. The Penteeostalists embraced and wept in the courtyard of the American compound before walking to the basement room where Lydia, two sisters and her parents have lived since June 1978, while seeking Soviet exit visas.

Lydia, aged 30, was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago by American officials who feared that her life was in danger.

She and her mother started the hunger strike during the Christmas holidays to protest against what they said was lack of American pressure on the Soviet Government on their behalf. An embassy official said.

“The embassy has reason to be pleased with Soviet treatment of Lydia from the time she was admitted to the hospital until today.” He said that the Soviet Government had been informed of the siblings’ wish to visit their parents in the embassy but that there had been no statement from the Soviets that they would be permitted to enter. “We did not know they would be let in until they drove through the gate,” the official said.

Vera Vashchenko, aged 25, and a brother, Alexander, aged 22, arrived from the family home in Chemogorsk on Wednesday and later visited Lydia in the hospital. They accompanied her, with a American diplomat, in the embassy car for the family reunion.

Vera told reporters at the

hospital that she her brother and Lydia planned to fly home this week-end to submit emigration papers to the Soviet authorities as a result of the conditions set by the Soviets.

Lydia told reporters after her discharge that she was well treated at the hospital and her health was good. She said she would start another hunger strike in Chernogorsk if her demand for an exit visa was not met.

Augustina Vashchenko, her 52-year-old mother, was continuing her fast at the embassy taking only fruit juice and other liquids to press the demand for exit visas for herself, her husband, and their 13 children.

Embassy officials said her health was satisfactory and there was no indication yet that she may have to be taken to hospital.