[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5171-S5172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 139--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN 
                          TROOPS FROM GEORGIA

  Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. Frist, and Mr. McCain) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 139

       Whereas, on April 9, 1991, the Republic of Georgia declared 
     independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;
       Whereas, during December 1991, the Republic of Georgia was 
     internationally recognized as an independent and sovereign 
     country following the formal dissolution of the Union of 
     Soviet Socialist Republics;
       Whereas the disposition of former Soviet troops stationed 
     in certain newly independent countries was resolved by 1994 
     with the complete withdrawal of Russian Federation military 
     personnel from the Republics of Estonia, Latvia, and 
     Lithuania;
       Whereas in the years following the restoration of Georgian 
     independence, successive governments of Georgia sought to 
     negotiate the closure of Russian military bases located in, 
     and the withdrawal of military personnel from, Georgia;
       Whereas, during the Organization for Security and Co-
     operation in Europe summit at Istanbul, Turkey in 1999, 
     Georgia and Russia concluded a bilateral agreement as part of 
     the Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty;
       Whereas as part of such bilateral agreement, which is known 
     as the ``Istanbul Commitments'', on November 17, 1999, Russia 
     committed to close bases at Gudauta and Vaziani by July 1, 
     2001, and committed to conclude negotiations on bases at 
     Batumi and Akhalkalaki, and all other Russian military 
     facilities during 2000;
       Whereas Russia has failed to fulfill its obligations under 
     the Istanbul Commitments;
       Whereas more than 3,000 Russian military personnel remain 
     in Georgia at various bases and facilities throughout the 
     country;
       Whereas, during November 2003, the Georgian people, in the 
     historic ``Rose Revolution'', peacefully protested fraudulent 
     elections resulting in the holding of new elections and the 
     installation of a new government committed to democracy, the 
     rule of law, observance of human rights, restoration of 
     sovereignty, and economic development; and
       Whereas on March 10, 2005, the democratically elected 
     Parliament of the Republic of Georgia passed a measure 
     expressing its dissatisfaction with Russia's continued 
     military presence in Georgia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (A) the Russian Federation should respect the territorial 
     integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Georgia;
       (B) President Mikheil Saakashvili and the Government and 
     people of Georgia deserve

[[Page S5172]]

     congratulations for the accomplishments and successful 
     reforms carried out in Georgia since President Mikheil 
     Saakashvili's inauguration in January 2004, and that the 
     United States should continue to support such reforms and 
     should encourage and assist Georgia with strengthening its 
     democratic institutions and resolving its separatist 
     conflicts peacefully; and
       (C) the United States should continue to support Georgia in 
     its efforts to negotiate an agreement for ending Russia's 
     military presence in Georgia, in accordance with Russia's 
     obligations under the bilateral agreement made between Russia 
     and Georgia as part of the Adapted Conventional Forces in 
     Europe Treaty known as the ``Istanbul Commitments''; and
       (2) the Senate--
       (A) supports the efforts of President Bush to encourage 
     Russia and Georgia to expeditiously reach agreement on the 
     closure of Russian military bases in, and the withdrawal of 
     military personnel from, Georgia;
       (B) commends President Bush for being the first United 
     States President to visit Georgia since its recognition as an 
     independent and sovereign country; and
       (C) will continue to monitor the situation in Georgia 
     closely.

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