IV 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1544 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 20, 2010 Ms. Schwartz (for herself and Mr. Shuster) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Reaffirming the strength of the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Georgia.

Whereas the August 2008 military conflict between the Republic of Georgia and the Russian Federation resulted in the destruction of significant infrastructure and property, vast humanitarian requirements, and a further weakening of relations between the Government of Georgia and their breakaway regions; Whereas according to the report by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, the Russia-Georgia military conflict resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 1,000 military, law enforcement, and civilian lives and over 100,000 internally displaced persons; Whereas since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has been continually reaffirmed by the international community, international law, and 32 United Nations Security Council resolutions; Whereas despite the six-point agreement signed by Georgia and Russia on August 12, 2008, which requires both sides to withdraw all forces to their pre-conflict positions, thousands of Russian forces remain in Abkhazia and South Ossetia; Whereas the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia have been blocked in their efforts to observe humanitarian and political conditions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia; Whereas the United States supports Georgia’s sovereignty and right to choose its own alliances, and recognizes the areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as occupied territories within the international borders of the Republic of Georgia; Whereas the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) continues to assist Georgia in strengthening domestic governance, improving economic and energy stability, and in providing housing and social service assistance to internally displaced persons; Whereas the United States also provides significant assistance in infrastructure, enterprise, and businesses development through the congressionally created Millennium Challenge Corporation; Whereas the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership, signed in January 2009, outlines the importance of the bilateral relationship as well as the intent of both countries to expand democracy and economic programs, enhance defense and security cooperation, further trade and energy cooperation, and build people-to-people cultural exchanges; Whereas Georgia has initiated positive developments in the areas of constitutional reforms, strengthening the role of Parliament, institutionalizing judicial independence, and utilizing international election organizations; Whereas OSCE determined that Georgia’s May 2010 municipal elections were marked by clear improvements and efforts by the authorities to address problems occurring during the [election] process; Whereas the assessment report concluded that while these elections marked progress toward meeting international election standards, significant reforms were still required in voter and candidacy rights, the establishment of a level playing field for all candidates, and media freedoms and clarification on electoral procedures and competence; and Whereas Georgia continues to make important contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom and is currently the second highest per capita contributor of troops to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the close and enduring relationship between the United States and the Republic of Georgia; (2)remembers the victims of the August 2008 military conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation; (3)reaffirms its support for a peaceful, secure future for the region and for the unification of Georgia; (4)supports the implementation of the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership and the continued growth of bilateral relations; and (5)encourages Georgia to strengthen its democracy by implementing reforms that expand media transparency and freedoms, increase government transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, promote political competition and democratic electoral processes, strengthen the rule of law, and implement judicial reforms.