[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2847-S2848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 175--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE WITH RESPECT 
 TO ONGOING VIOLATIONS OF THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SOVEREIGNTY OF 
  GEORGIA AND THE IMPORTANCE OF A PEACEFUL AND JUST RESOLUTION TO THE 
      CONFLICT WITHIN GEORGIA'S INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BORDERS

  Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Mr. Graham) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res 175

       Whereas, since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia 
     has been reaffirmed by the international community and 36 
     United Nations Security Council resolutions;
       Whereas the United States-Georgia Strategic Charter, signed 
     on January 9, 2009, underscores that ``support for each 
     other's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and 
     inviolability of borders constitutes the foundation of our 
     bilateral relations'';
       Whereas, in October 2010, at the meeting of the United 
     States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, Secretary of 
     State Hillary Clinton stated, ``The United States will not 
     waiver in its support for Georgia's sovereignty and 
     territorial integrity.'';
       Whereas the White House released a fact sheet on July 24, 
     2010, calling for ``Russia to end its occupation of the 
     Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia'' and for 
     ``a return of international observers to the two occupied 
     regions of Georgia'';
       Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden stated in Tbilisi in 
     July 2009 that the United States ``will not recognize 
     Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states'';
       Whereas, according to the Government of Georgia's ``State 
     Strategy on Occupied Territories,'' the Government of Georgia 
     has committed itself to a policy of peaceful engagement, the 
     protection of economic and human rights, freedom of movement, 
     and the preservation of cultural heritage, language, and 
     identity for the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia;
       Whereas the August 2008 conflict between the Governments of 
     Russia and Georgia resulted in civilian and military 
     causalities, the violation of the sovereignty and territorial 
     integrity of Georgia, and large numbers of internally-
     displaced persons;
       Whereas large numbers of persons remain displaced as a 
     result of the August 2008 conflict as well as the earlier 
     conflicts of the 1990s;
       Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement, agreed to 
     by the Governments of Russia and Georgia provides that all 
     troops of the Russian Federation shall be withdrawn to pre-
     conflict positions;
       Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement provides 
     that free access shall be granted to organizations providing 
     humanitarian assistance in regions affected by violence in 
     August 2008;
       Whereas the recognition by the Government of Russia of 
     Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26, 2008, was in 
     violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of 
     Georgia;
       Whereas Human Rights Watch concluded in its World Report 
     2011 that ``Russia continued to occupy Georgia's breakaway 
     regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and strengthened its 
     military presence in the region by establishing a military 
     base and placing an advanced surface-to-air missile system in 
     Abkhazia'';
       Whereas the parties have taken some constructive steps in 
     recent months, including the resumption of direct flights 
     between Russia and Georgia, Russian troop withdrawal from the 
     Georgian village of Perevi, and regular participation in the 
     Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism;
       Whereas these positive steps neither adequately address the 
     humanitarian situation on the ground nor constitute full 
     compliance with the terms of the August 2008 ceasefire 
     agreement;
       Whereas, on November 23, 2010, before the European 
     Parliament, Georgian President Saakashvili declared that 
     ``Georgia will never use force to restore its territorial 
     integrity and sovereignty'';
       Whereas Secretary of State Clinton stated in Tbilisi on 
     July 5, 2010, ``We continue to call for Russia to abide by 
     the August 2008 cease-fire commitment . . . including ending 
     the occupation and withdrawing Russian troops from South 
     Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-conflict positions.'';

[[Page S2848]]

       Whereas the Russian Federation blocked the extension of the 
     Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) 
     Mission to Georgia and the United Nations Observer Mission in 
     Georgia, forcing the missions to withdraw from South Ossetia 
     and Abkhazia;
       Whereas troops of the Russian Federation stationed in 
     Abkhazia and South Ossetia continue to be present without the 
     consent of the Government of Georgia or a mandate from the 
     United Nations or other multilateral organizations;
       Whereas, at the April 15, 2011, meeting in Berlin between 
     the foreign ministers of Georgia and NATO, Secretary of State 
     Clinton stated, ``U.S. support for Georgia's sovereignty and 
     territorial integrity remains steadfast. . . . We share 
     Georgian concerns regarding recent Russian activities that 
     can negatively affect regional stability.'';
       Whereas, on April 25-26, 2011, Foreign Minister of Russia 
     Sergei Lavrov made a high-profile visit to Abkhazia and South 
     Ossetia, which was immediately criticized by the Department 
     of State as ``inconsistent with the principle of territorial 
     integrity and Georgia's internationally recognized borders'';
       Whereas the Senate supports United States efforts to 
     develop a productive relationship with the Russian Federation 
     in areas of mutual interest, including non-proliferation and 
     arms control, cooperation concerning the failure of the 
     Government of Iran to meet its international obligations with 
     regard to its nuclear programs, counter-terrorism, 
     Afghanistan, anti-piracy, and economics and trade; and
       Whereas the Senate agrees that these efforts must not 
     compromise longstanding United States policy or United States 
     support for its allies and partners worldwide: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) affirms that it is the policy of the United States to 
     support the sovereignty, independence, and territorial 
     integrity of Georgia and the inviolability of its borders, 
     and to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as regions of 
     Georgia occupied by the Russian Federation;
       (2) calls upon the Government of Russia to take steps to 
     fulfill all the terms and conditions of the 2008 ceasefire 
     agreements between Georgia and Russia, including returning 
     military forces to pre-war positions and ensuring access to 
     international humanitarian aid to all those affected by the 
     conflict;
       (3) urges the Government of Russia and the authorities in 
     control in the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to allow 
     for the full and dignified return of internally-displaced 
     persons and international missions to the territories of 
     Abkhazia and South Ossetia;
       (4) supports peaceful, constructive engagement and 
     confidence-building measures between the Government of 
     Georgia and the authorities in control in South Ossetia and 
     Abkhazia and encourages additional people-to-people contacts; 
     and
       (5) affirms that finding a peaceful resolution to the 
     conflict is a key priority for the United States in the 
     Caucasus region and that lasting regional stability can only 
     be achieved through peaceful means and long-term diplomatic 
     and political dialogue between all parties.

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