[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 139 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 139

 Expressing support for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 12, 2005

    Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Frist, and Mr. McCain) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia.

Whereas, on April 9, 1991, the Republic of Georgia declared independence from 
        the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;
Whereas, during December 1991, the Republic of Georgia was internationally 
        recognized as an independent and sovereign country following the formal 
        dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;
Whereas the disposition of former Soviet troops stationed in certain newly 
        independent countries was resolved by 1994 with the complete withdrawal 
        of Russian Federation military personnel from the Republics of Estonia, 
        Latvia, and Lithuania;
Whereas in the years following the restoration of Georgian independence, 
        successive governments of Georgia sought to negotiate the closure of 
        Russian military bases located in, and the withdrawal of military 
        personnel from, Georgia;
Whereas, during the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe summit 
        at Istanbul, Turkey in 1999, Georgia and Russia concluded a bilateral 
        agreement as part of the Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty;
Whereas as part of such bilateral agreement, which is known as the ``Istanbul 
        Commitments'', on November 17, 1999, Russia committed to close bases at 
        Gudauta and Vaziani by July 1, 2001, and committed to conclude 
        negotiations on bases at Batumi and Akhalkalaki, and all other Russian 
        military facilities during 2000;
Whereas Russia has failed to fulfill its obligations under the Istanbul 
        Commitments;
Whereas more than 3,000 Russian military personnel remain in Georgia at various 
        bases and facilities throughout the country;
Whereas, during November 2003, the Georgian people, in the historic ``Rose 
        Revolution'', peacefully protested fraudulent elections resulting in the 
        holding of new elections and the installation of a new government 
        committed to democracy, the rule of law, observance of human rights, 
        restoration of sovereignty, and economic development; and
Whereas on March 10, 2005, the democratically elected Parliament of the Republic 
        of Georgia passed a measure expressing its dissatisfaction with Russia's 
        continued military presence in Georgia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) it is the sense of the Senate that--
                    (A) the Russian Federation should respect the 
                territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic 
                of Georgia;
                    (B) President Mikheil Saakashvili and the 
                Government and people of Georgia deserve 
                congratulations for the accomplishments and successful 
                reforms carried out in Georgia since President Mikheil 
                Saakashvili's inauguration in January 2004, and that 
                the United States should continue to support such 
                reforms and should encourage and assist Georgia with 
                strengthening its democratic institutions and resolving 
                its separatist conflicts peacefully; and
                    (C) the United States should continue to support 
                Georgia in its efforts to negotiate an agreement for 
                ending Russia's military presence in Georgia, in 
                accordance with Russia's obligations under the 
                bilateral agreement made between Russia and Georgia as 
                part of the Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe 
                Treaty known as the ``Istanbul Commitments''; and
            (2) the Senate--
                    (A) supports the efforts of President Bush to 
                encourage Russia and Georgia to expeditiously reach 
                agreement on the closure of Russian military bases in, 
                and the withdrawal of military personnel from, Georgia;
                    (B) commends President Bush for being the first 
                United States President to visit Georgia since its 
                recognition as an independent and sovereign country; 
                and
                    (C) will continue to monitor the situation in 
                Georgia closely.
                                 <all>