[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 491 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 491

 Affirming the support of the United States for Georgia's accession to 
             the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 26, 2014

Mr. Poe of Texas (for himself and Mr. Keating) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Affirming the support of the United States for Georgia's accession to 
             the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Whereas successive United States Administrations have supported Georgia's 
        aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);
Whereas the Government of Georgia has met the basic standards for accession, 
        even as specific reforms continue, and has consistently displayed its 
        willingness and ability to meet the responsibilities of membership in 
        NATO;
Whereas Georgia's defense spending, as roughly 2.5 percent of GDP, is a half 
        point higher than the baseline 2 percent target set by NATO, which only 
        the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Greece, Turkey, and 
        Estonia currently meet;
Whereas it was declared by the Heads of State and Government participating in 
        the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest, and reaffirmed in 2009 at the Summit 
        in Strasbourg and Kehl, in 2010 at the Summit in Lisbon, and in 2012 at 
        the summit in Chicago, that Georgia will become a member of NATO;
Whereas the United States-Georgia Charter on 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 the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership pledges both 
        sides to ``strengthen Georgia's candidacy for NATO membership'', and to 
        work within the framework of the NATO-Georgia Commission ``to pursue a 
        structured plan to increase interoperability and coordination of 
        capabilities between NATO and Georgia, including via enhanced training 
        and equipment for Georgian forces'';
Whereas the European Union (EU)-Georgia Association Agreement, initialed in late 
        November 2013 and expected to be signed before fall 2014, opens new 
        opportunities of political association and deeper economic integration 
        with the EU;
Whereas the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area is an integral 
        part of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, which aims to gradually 
        integrate Georgia into the EU's internal market;
Whereas the ongoing EU-Georgia Visa Dialogue and the Visa Liberalization Action 
        Plan, being implemented by Georgia, aim at introducing the visa-free 
        regime between the EU and Georgia in a secure and well-managed 
        environment;
Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden stated in Tbilisi in July 2009 that the 
        United States ``will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as 
        independent states'';
Whereas Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stated in Tbilisi on July 5, 
        2010, that, ``we continue to call for Russia to abide by the August 2008 
        ceasefire commitment . . . including ending the occupation and 
        withdrawing Russian troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-
        conflict positions'';
Whereas in October 2010, at the meeting of the United States-Georgia Strategic 
        Partnership Commission, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton 
        stated, ``the United States will not waver in its support for Georgia's 
        sovereignty and territorial integrity'';
Whereas the White House released a Fact Sheet on July 24, 2010, calling for 
        ``Russia to end its occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia 
        and South Ossetia . . .'' and for ``a return of international observers 
        to the two occupied regions of Georgia'';
Whereas Human Rights Watch concluded in its 2011 World Report that ``Russia 
        continued to exercise effective con- troll over South Ossetia and 
        Abkhazia, preventing international observers' access and veto in 
        international missions working there'';
Whereas the Senate of the 112th United States Congress adopted a resolution (S. 
        Res. 175) in July 2011 affirming the United States support for the 
        sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the country of 
        Georgia, and calling upon Russia to remove its occupying forces from 
        Abkhazia and South Ossetia;
Whereas the House of Representatives of the 112th United States Congress adopted 
        a resolution (H. Res. 526) in September 2012 affirming support for the 
        sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Georgia and the 
        inviolability of its borders, and recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia 
        as regions of Georgia illegally occupied by the Russian Federation;
Whereas the August 2008 military conflict between Russia and Georgia resulted in 
        civilian and military causalities, the violation of Georgia's 
        sovereignty and territorial integrity, and increased the number of 
        internally displaced persons;
Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement negotiated by the European 
        Union Presidency and agreed to by the Presidents of Georgia and the 
        Russian Federation, provides that all Russian troops shall be withdrawn 
        to preconflict positions;
Whereas Georgia in 2010 made a unilateral pledge not to use force against Russia 
        or Georgia's Russian-occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, 
        and reiterated that pledge in a unanimous parliamentary resolution in 
        2013;
Whereas since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has been reaffirmed by 
        the international community in 36 United Nations Security Council 
        resolutions;
Whereas Russia continues to erect physical barriers along the Administrative 
        Boundary Lines of the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South 
        Ossetia, where Russian troops continue to be stationed despite a 
        commitment in the 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw to preconflict 
        positions;
Whereas Russia has not reciprocated to Georgia's unilateral pledges for non-use 
        of force;
Whereas the United States supports Georgia's independence, sovereignty, and 
        territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of 
        Georgia;
Whereas at the April 15, 2011, meeting in Berlin, Germany, between the Georgian 
        foreign minister and foreign ministers of NATO, Secretary of State 
        Hillary Rodham Clinton stated, ``U.S. support for Georgia's sovereignty 
        and territorial integrity remains steadfast . . . We share Georgian 
        concerns regarding recent Russian activities that can negatively affect 
        regional stability'';
Whereas the North Atlantic Council Foreign Ministers, meeting on December 7, 
        2011, applauded the significant operational support provided to NATO by 
        aspirant partners Georgia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 
        Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden stated in Munich on February 2, 2014, that 
        ``there is unfinished business in our common project of a Europe whole 
        and free. Georgia and the states of the Balkans have unfulfilled 
        aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration. The pace of these integration 
        efforts will be determined by the aspirants themselves. But we too share 
        a responsibility for helping them achieve their rightful place in Europe 
        and the Transatlantic Alliance.'';
Whereas the Government of Georgia, beginning with the Rose Revolution of 2003, 
        has taken significant steps toward promoting democratic, judicial, and 
        economic reforms and has indicated its intent to continue to make 
        progress in these areas;
Whereas Georgia has initiated positive developments and commitments in the areas 
        of constitutional reforms, strengthening the role of Parliament, and 
        utilizing international election organizations and transparency;
Whereas the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, other 
        international observers, and the United States indicated that Georgia's 
        October 2013 Presidential election met international standards;
Whereas international observers have hailed Georgia's October 2012 parliamentary 
        elections as competitive and complimented the country's leaders for 
        conducting a democratic vote;
Whereas Secretary of State John Kerry said in May 2013, ``We remain committed to 
        Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its 
        internationally recognized borders, and to the continued strengthening 
        of Georgia's democratic institutions . . . and we continue to support 
        Georgia's integration into the Euro-Atlantic community'';
Whereas recognizing that members of NATO share a common adherence to democratic 
        norms, Georgia can best prepare itself for membership by progressing on 
        its democratic reform agenda;
Whereas, H. Res. 526 of September 2012 also expresses support for Georgia's NATO 
        membership aspirations and to advance further implementation of 
        decisions taken by the allies at the NATO Summits in Bucharest, 
        Strasbourg and Kehl, and Lisbon with regard to Georgia's NATO 
        membership;
Whereas, during the NATO Military Committee (MC) visit to Georgia on February 
        11, 2014, and February 12, 2014, General Knud Bartels, Chairman of the 
        NATO MC emphasized Georgia's significant progress in achieving its 
        ambitious defense reforms; expressed the Committee's ``strong support'' 
        for the reforms and its confidence that the ``transformation is 
        comprehensive, solid and irreversible'', also noting that ``The NATO 
        Military Committee strongly supports these reforms and looks forward to 
        strengthening military cooperation, both in terms of operational 
        engagements and interoperability in order to maintain the beneficial 
        partnership we have built throughout the years.'';
Whereas Georgia has been a reliable partner and ally in enhancing global peace 
        and stability with its contribution to operations in Iraq and 
        Afghanistan;
Whereas in Iraq, thousands of Georgian forces helped guard the Iraqi side of the 
        Iraq-Iran border, having redeployed from the safety of the Green Zone to 
        accept this dangerous mission;
Whereas in Afghanistan, Georgia has contributed troops to the NATO-International 
        Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission since 2004, and engaged in 
        combat operations in Helmand province side-by-side with the United 
        States Marines;
Whereas Georgia has been the largest non-NATO troop contributor and the fifth 
        largest troop contributor overall, serving without any national caveats;
Whereas, despite the heavy casualties, Georgia is committed to remain in the 
        NATO ISAF until the end of the mission and stands ready to continue its 
        significant contribution to the NATO's post-ISAF missions in 
        Afghanistan;
Whereas Georgia remains committed to provide full transit capacity in support of 
        the United States and coalition troops in Afghanistan;
Whereas NATO agreed to include Georgia in the NATO Response Force in 2015;
Whereas Georgia expressed its intent to participate in EU and United Nations-led 
        crisis management and stabilization missions;
Whereas the United States rejects the long-outdated notion of the spheres of 
        influence and strongly stands by the principle that sovereign 
        democracies are free in their decision and choice of their own 
        partnerships and alliances;
Whereas Georgia has sought to strengthen its economic and political ties with 
        NATO countries; and
Whereas the United States has long supported the European aspirations of 
        Georgia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports Georgia's aspirations to join the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);
            (2) recognizes the significant benefits of closer economic 
        and political ties between NATO members and Georgia which will 
        spur economic growth, strengthen democratic institutions and 
        norms, and bolster the rule of law in the South Caucasus region 
        as well as other countries in Eastern Europe;
            (3) calls on the Government of Russia to respect the rights 
        of countries to make their own sovereign choices with regard to 
        international partnerships, including to join NATO;
            (4) urges the Administration and the United States 
        Department of State to continue to work closely with Georgia to 
        support its entry into NATO;
            (5) acknowledges and supports the progress made by Georgia 
        in the NATO membership process; and
            (6) urges NATO members to extend a Membership Action Plan 
        (MAP) to Georgia at the NATO Summit in the United Kingdom in 
        September 2014.
                                 <all>