[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6503-S6504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           GEORGIAN CONFLICT

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, disturbing events taking place around 
the world pose grave challenges to our U.S. strategic interests. In 
Pakistan and India, nuclear weapons are being developed, assembled and 
tested, escalating an arms race in the region. In Indonesia, the 
collapse of the rupiah has caused an economic and political crisis that 
has reverberated throughout the international financial markets. In 
China, missile proliferation looms ominously as evidence suggest that 
China conspired to sell entire missiles to other nations. And, in the 
former Yugoslavia province of Kosovo, NATO defense ministers have 
launched air exercises in an effort to convince Serbian dictator 
Slobodan Milosevic to halt his crackdown on the separatist ethnic 
Albanians in what has become Europe's most threatening security crisis 
since the 1992-95 Bosnian war.
  These are just some of the more widely known international crises--
requiring U.S. vigilance to protect its strategic interests. But there 
are lesser known struggles in remote and distant lands that have 
significant implications for U.S. foreign policy. One of these that 
deserves our attention is the conflict in the Republic of Georgia and 
its small break-away region of Abkhazia. In the wake of the recent 
armed insurrection in Abkahazia, U.S. efforts to ensure Georgia 
achieves and sustains political independence and economic stability 
must be enhanced.
  Of all the newly independent states to emerges from the breakup of 
the former Soviet Union, Georgia is considered the most pro-western 
nascent democracy. Since its independence in 1991, Georgia has faced 
and begun to surmount formidable problems of economic collapse, civil 
war, separatist conflict, rampant crime, political infighting, and 
human rights abuses. Much to Russia's chagrin, Georgian President 
Eduard Shevardnadze has exerted strong leadership by moving Georgia 
away from Russia's sphere of influence. He has pursued an independent 
foreign policy, ushered in democratic and market reforms, and

[[Page S6504]]

achieved annual growth rates of 10 percent.
  Moreover, Georgia is a NATO borderland and at the entry point to the 
emerging new ``Silk Road'' that traverses Central Europe to China. This 
commercial route will eventually encompass oil and gas pipelines, 
roads, railroads, bridges, airports and communications networks. It 
will completely alter the region's economic and political landscape. 
Because Georgia is situated at a critical juncture in the corridor, 
stability in this state, and its neighbors, is essential. There are 
signs of a Russian strategy to keep the region frozen in instability, 
thereby discouraging commercial investment, and ultimately forcing 
nascent democracies and their resources back into Russia's tacit 
control.
  The small, breakaway region of Abkhazia has been Russia's best 
available instrument to diminish Georgia's accomplishments and to 
imperil its remarkable gains. Numerous and compelling reports, 
including eye-witness accounts by Georgian refugees, suggest active 
Russian involvement in arming, training and sustaining Abkhazia's so-
called freedom fighters against Georgian nationals.
  In this context, I am very concerned by indications of Russian 
activities and covert aggression aimed at eroding public support for 
President Shevardnadze and his administration. I regard Georgian 
independence from Russian hegemony as a critical first step toward 
stability in the region.
  I strongly encourage the administration to end its neglect of this 
situation and become actively engaged. The administration should state 
unequivocally that it stands behind the leadership of Georgian 
President Eduard Shevardnadze; that the stability and survival of an 
independent, democratic Georgia is in our national interest; and that 
the U.S. will consider all appropriate measures necessary to help build 
closer economic and political ties between Georgia and the United 
States. Finally, the administration should call the Russians to task 
for engaging in activities that would re-subordinate Georgia to 
Moscow's rule.
  Moreover, Congress should move expeditiously to secure enactment of 
the ``Silk Road Strategy Act of 1997.'' This legislation is designed to 
promote sovereign and independent democratic governments; assist in the 
development of infrastructure necessary for communications, 
transportation, energy and trade on an East-West axis; and promote 
market-oriented principles and practices among Central Asian and South 
Caucasus countries. Passage would help curb Russian hegemony in the 
region and contain the spread northward of anti-western Islamic 
extremism. The legislation is designed to assist all the nations of the 
region--Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhastan, Kyrgyzstan, 
Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
  Russia is again increasing its grip on the region and working to keep 
these countries from maintaining their independence. Iran continues to 
exert influence to foster anti-western attitudes. It is critical that 
we help these countries look westward to contain extremist forces 
hostile to U.S. interests--and this is a good place to start.

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