[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2948-S2949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
sixth anniversary of the re-independence of the Republic of Georgia.
  Georgia has a rich cultural heritage spanning over 2,000 years, and 
recent history provides a remarkable story in the struggle against 
communism. First annexed by Russia in 1801, Georgia experienced a brief 
glimpse of independence in 1918 when Georgia relinquished its ancient 
monarchy for a democratically elected government. In 1921, however, the 
iron curtain descended on this small, yet proud country, and over the 
next 70 years suffered terribly under the heavy hand of Soviet 
communism and its centrally planned economy. Through it all, the 
Georgian people never gave up their hope or desire for freedom and 
independence.
  On April 9, 1989, violence erupted in the Georgian capitol of 
Tbilisi, as Soviet troops swarmed the city and fell on 10,000 peaceful 
citizens demonstrating for independence. During the ensuing violence, 
more than 200 people were injured and 19 killed. Some, including women 
and children, were tragically beaten to death with shovels. This event 
marked the beginning of the end of Soviet domination. Exactly 2 years 
later, on April 9, 1991, Georgia officially declared its independence, 
a day which is remembered as the anniversary on which Georgia's long 
fight for freedom was again realized.
  Since then, under the leadership of President Eduard Shevardnadze, 
Georgia has made remarkable strides toward a free market economy and 
democratic rule of law. A constitution founded on democratic principles 
and values has been adopted, and free and fair presidential and 
parliamentary elections were held. A new generation of young, energetic 
democratic leaders has emerged, led by 34-year-old Zurab Zhvania, 
Chairman of the Parliament,

[[Page S2949]]

who I recently met with. On the economic front, Georgia's new currency, 
the lari, has remained stable since its introduction in 1995. The 
International Monetary Fund and the U.S. Department of State have 
praised Georgia's economic initiatives and their significant progress 
in developing a free-market economy. Several U.S. corporations have 
already established a presence in Georgia, spurring jobs and economic 
growth in both nations.
  Mr. President, I encourage everyone to note this historic day, and 
congratulate Georgia on its extraordinary progress toward democracy and 
free-market principles.

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