[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONFLICT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA

  The resolution (S. Res. 690) expressing the sense of the Senate 
concerning the conflict between Russia and Georgia, was agreed to, as 
follows:

                              S. Res. 690

       That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) irrespective of the origins of the recent conflict in 
     Georgia, the disproportionate military response by the 
     Russian Federation on the sovereign, internationally 
     recognized territory of Georgia, including the South Ossetian 
     Autonomous Region (referred to in this resolution as ``South 
     Ossetia'') and the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia (referred 
     to in this resolution as ``Abkhazia''), is in violation of 
     international law and commitments of the Russian Federation;
       (2) the actions undertaken by the Government of the Russian 
     Federation in Georgia have diminished its standing in the 
     international community and should lead to a review of 
     existing, developing, and proposed multilateral and bilateral 
     arrangements;
       (3) the United States recognizes significant interests in 
     common with the Russian Federation, including combating the 
     proliferation of nuclear weapons and fighting terrorism, and 
     these interests can, over time, serve as the basis for 
     improved long-term relations;
       (4) the Government of the Russian Federation should 
     immediately comply with the September 8, 2008, follow-on 
     agreement to the 6-point cease-fire agreement negotiated on 
     August 12, 2008;
       (5) the Government of the Russian Federation and the 
     Government of Georgia should--
       (A) refrain from the future use of force to resolve the 
     status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; and
       (B) work with the United States, Europe, and other 
     concerned countries and through the United Nations Security 
     Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
     Europe, and other international fora to identify a political 
     settlement that addresses the short-term and long-term status 
     of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in accordance with prior 
     United Nations Security Council resolutions;
       (6) the United States should--
       (A) provide humanitarian and economic assistance to 
     Georgia;
       (B) seek to improve commercial relations with Georgia; and
       (C) working in tandem with the international community, 
     continue to support the development of a strong, vibrant, 
     multiparty democracy in Georgia;
       (7) the President should consult with Congress on future 
     security cooperation and assistance to Georgia, as 
     appropriate;
       (8) the United States continues to support the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization declaration reached at the 
     Bucharest Summit on April 3, 2008; and
       (9) the United States should work with the European Union, 
     Georgia, and its neighbors to ensure the free flow of energy 
     to Europe and the operation of key communication and trade 
     routes.

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