[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 690 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 690

  Expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the conflict between 
                          Russia and Georgia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 27 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

     Mr. Kerry (for himself and Mr. Smith) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the conflict between 
                          Russia and Georgia.

    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) irrespective of the origins of the recent conflict in 
        Georgia, the disproportionate military response by the Russian 
        Federation on the sovereign, internationally recognized 
        territory of Georgia, including the South Ossetian Autonomous 
        Region (referred to in this resolution as ``South Ossetia'') 
        and the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia (referred to in this 
        resolution as ``Abkhazia''), is in violation of international 
        law and commitments of the Russian Federation;
            (2) the actions undertaken by the Government of the Russian 
        Federation in Georgia have diminished its standing in the 
        international community and should lead to a review of 
        existing, developing, and proposed multilateral and bilateral 
        arrangements;
            (3) the United States recognizes significant interests in 
        common with the Russian Federation, including combating the 
        proliferation of nuclear weapons and fighting terrorism, and 
        these interests can, over time, serve as the basis for improved 
        long-term relations;
            (4) the Government of the Russian Federation should 
        immediately comply with the September 8, 2008, follow-on 
        agreement to the 6-point cease-fire agreement negotiated on 
        August 12, 2008;
            (5) the Government of the Russian Federation and the 
        Government of Georgia should--
                    (A) refrain from the future use of force to resolve 
                the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; and
                    (B) work with the United States, Europe, and other 
                concerned countries and through the United Nations 
                Security Council, the Organization for Security and 
                Cooperation in Europe, and other international fora to 
                identify a political settlement that addresses the 
                short-term and long-term status of Abkhazia and South 
                Ossetia, in accordance with prior United Nations 
                Security Council resolutions;
            (6) the United States should--
                    (A) provide humanitarian and economic assistance to 
                Georgia;
                    (B) seek to improve commercial relations with 
                Georgia; and
                    (C) working in tandem with the international 
                community, continue to support the development of a 
                strong, vibrant, multiparty democracy in Georgia;
            (7) the President should consult with Congress on future 
        security cooperation and assistance to Georgia, as appropriate;
            (8) the United States continues to support the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization declaration reached at the 
        Bucharest Summit on April 3, 2008; and
            (9) the United States should work with the European Union, 
        Georgia, and its neighbors to ensure the free flow of energy to 
        Europe and the operation of key communication and trade routes.
                                 <all>