[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E610-E611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA'S RE-INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the sixth 
anniversary of the Republic of Georgia's re-independence.
  Georgia, one of the most ancient countries in the world, is situated 
in the Caucasus region, the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The 
country's rich culture and heritage is exemplified by its language, 
Georgian, which is over 2,000 years old, and which employs the

[[Page E611]]

unique Georgian alphabet, 1 of only 14 in use in the world today.
  While Georgia was annexed by Russia in 1801, it never gave up its 
fight for independence. In 1918, those efforts were successful as 
Georgia regained its independence and relinquished its ancient monarchy 
for a democratically elected government. Sadly, this new-found 
independence was to be short-lived. In 1921, the Communist Iron Curtain 
descended over this small yet proud country. Georgia suffered terribly 
under the heavy hand of Soviet communism and its centrally planned 
economy. Through it all, the Georgian people never gave up their desire 
for independence.
  On April 9, 1989, Soviet troops broke up a throng of 10,000 Georgian 
nationalists who were peacefully demonstrating for independence in 
Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. More than 200 people were injured and 19 
killed, many of them women and children. Some were brutally beaten to 
death with shovels. This tragic event marked both the beginning of the 
end of Soviet domination and the rebirth of Georgia. After 70 years of 
Soviet domination, Georgia officially redeclared its independence on 
April 9, 1991. Thus, it is April 9 that is observed as both a 
commemoration of a tragedy and as the anniversary on which Georgia's 
long-fought-for independence was again regained.
  Over the last few years, under the leadership of President Eduard 
Shevardnadze, Georgia has made remarkable strides toward a free market 
economy and democracy. A constitution grounded in democracy values has 
been adopted and free and fair Presidential and Parliamentary elections 
have been held. A new generation of leaders, including Zurab Zhvania, 
the 34-year-old Chairman of the Parliament who just last month visited 
us here in Washington, has begun to emerge. On the economic front, 
Georgia's new currency, the Lari, has remained stable since it was 
introduced in the fall of 1995. The International Monetary Fund has 
praised Georgia's economic initiatives and our own State Department has 
noted the significant progress Georgia has made in restructuring its 
economy. Several major United States corporations have already 
established a presence in Georgia.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the sixth 
anniversary of Georgian independence. I urge my colleagues to join in 
congratulating Georgia on its progress toward democracy and a free 
market economy.

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