[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14403-S14404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GEORGIA'S SOUTH OSSETIAN PEACE PLAN

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 344 which was submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 344) expressing support for the 
     Government of Georgia's South Ossetian Peace Plan and the 
     successful and peaceful reintegration of the Region of 
     Georgia.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 344) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 344

       Whereas during December 1991, Georgia was internationally 
     recognized as an independent and sovereign country following 
     the formal dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist 
     Republics;
       Whereas the United States supports the independence, 
     sovereignty, territorial integrity, and ongoing democratic 
     reform process in Georgia;
       Whereas the United States reaffirms its support for the 
     peaceful resolution of the conflict in Adjura and the 
     restoration of democracy and political stability in that 
     region of Georgia;
       Whereas as a result of a conflict from 1991 to 1992, a 
     separatist regime has enforced its rule in the Georgia 
     territory of South Ossetia, impoverishing the people living 
     in South Ossetia, militarizing the area, allowing organized 
     crime to flourish, and posing a threat to the peace and 
     security in the region;
       Whereas the Government of Georgia has announced a peace 
     plan to reach a full political settlement to the South 
     Ossetian conflict;
       Whereas the Government of Georgia has acknowledged that 
     mistakes were made in its past efforts in dealing with the 
     region of South Ossetia;
       Whereas at the 59th meeting of the United Nations General 
     Assembly, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili outlined 
     specific components of a peace initiative that includes 
     demilitarization, confidence building measures, and economic, 
     social, cultural, and political steps to protect the South 
     Ossetian people and their rights while reintegrating the 
     region, with significant autonomy, into Georgia;
       Whereas President Saakashvili reaffirmed the main 
     principles of the peace agreement at the Parliamentary 
     Assembly Council of Europe in January, 2005, held in 
     Strasbourg, France;
       Whereas a formal comprehensive peace proposal based on the 
     Strasbourg principles was formally proposed on October 27, 
     2005, at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
     Europe; and
       Whereas on December 6, 2005, at their 13th Ministerial 
     Council Meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the Organization for 
     Security and Co-operation in Europe endorsed the Government 
     of Georgia's peace plan, stating, ``We welcome the steps 
     taken by the Georgian side to address the peaceful resolution 
     of the conflict and believe that the recent proposals, in 
     particular the Peace Plan built upon the initiatives of the 
     President of Georgia presented at the 59th United Nations 
     General Assembly and supported by the sides, will serve as a 
     basis for the peaceful settlement of the conflict'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Government of Georgia for its vision and 
     determination in its efforts to resolve peacefully the 
     conflict in South Ossetia;
       (2) supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial 
     integrity of the democratic Government of Georgia;

[[Page S14404]]

       (3) urges all Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
     Europe participating States to respect fully the 
     independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity of Georgia, 
     refraining from any acts constituting a threat of or use of 
     force, direct or indirect, and abiding by the principle of 
     the inviolability of frontiers;
       (4) expresses its support for the Government of Georgia's 
     plan to control peacefully and reestablish authority in the 
     region of South Ossetia, viewing it as an opportunity to 
     restore the territorial integrity of the country and to 
     protect the individual rights and democratic liberties of 
     those living in South Ossetia;
       (5) urges the United States to increase its efforts in 
     support of the peaceful reincorporation of South Ossetia to 
     Georgia, including efforts to support the greater involvement 
     of the international community, including the Russian 
     Federation, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
     Europe, the European Union, and international organizations 
     in the peaceful settlement of the South Ossetian conflict; 
     and
       (6) supports the ongoing democratic transformation in 
     Georgia and will continue to monitor closely the peace 
     process in South Ossetia, including the implementation by all 
     sides of their obligations under the peace plan if it is 
     accepted.

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