110 HCON 150 IH: Expressing gratitude to the people and U.S. House of Representatives 2007-05-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 150 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 17, 2007 Mr. Rohrabacher submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing gratitude to the people and Government of the Republic of Georgia for their support and commitment in combating Islamist terrorism worldwide and their specific efforts to bring security and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Whereas the Republic of Georgia has provided critical assistance and support in the global war against Islamist militants; Whereas Georgia has been a member of the Coalition of the Willing in Iraq since its inception in 2003; Whereas Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili recently stated that to help the Iraqi people and Georgia’s coalition partners bring stability and security to Iraq, the 850 Georgian troops currently deployed to Iraq will be increased to exceed 2,000 troops; Whereas the additional Georgian troops are reportedly to be deployed by June 2007 along Iraq’s border with Iran to help ensure that weapons from Iran do not reach the hands of extremists who seek to foment sectarian violence and instability in Iraq by targeting Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces, and innocent men, women and children; Whereas, on August 23, 2006, Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero, deputy chief of operations of the Joint Staff, stated that the Iranian regime is providing funding, training, and equipment to Shiite militias in Iraq; Whereas, on September 28, 2006, Maj. Gen. Richard Zahner, deputy chief of staff for intelligence of the Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF–I), stated that the labels on C–4 explosives found with Shiite militiamen in Iraq prove that the explosives came from Iran, and also stated that only the Iranian military apparatus controls access to such military-grade explosives; Whereas, on September 19, 2006, then-CENTCOM Commander, Gen. John Abizaid said that United States forces had found weaponry in Iraq that likely came from Iran, including a dual-warhead rocket-propelled-grenade RPG–29; Whereas, on January 31, 2007, the commander of Multinational Corps-Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, said that the United States had traced back to Iran serial numbers of weapons captured in Iraq, which included Katyusha rockets, rocket-propelled grenades, and roadside bombs; Whereas, on February 11, 2007, United States military officials provided what they said was specific evidence that Iran had supplied explosively formed projectiles to Shiite militias; Whereas the effective policing of the Iran-Iraq border is an integral component to denying the Iranian regime the ability to support terrorists and extremists within Iraq; Whereas the contributions by Georgia to the military operations in Afghanistan are also an important component in the war against global terrorism; Whereas President Saakashvili also stated that Georgia would be increasing its military commitment in Afghanistan, where approximately 100 Georgian troops are presently deployed; and Whereas Georgia is a friend and ally of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1)expresses its gratitude to the people and Government of the Republic of Georgia for their support and commitment to combating Islamist terrorism worldwide and for their specific efforts in helping to bring security and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan; (2)shares the view of the Government of Georgia that the stabilization of Iraq is important to the surrounding region; (3)specifically notes and appreciates the efforts by the Georgian contingent in the coalition in Iraq to intercept supplies of arms entering Iraq from Iran; and (4)supports the people and Government of Georgia in their pursuit of democratic reforms and economic development.