[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1608-E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEMOCRATIC AND 
                     PROSPEROUS REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H. Res. 526.
  The House consideration of H. Res. 526 this week coincides with the 
final weeks of preparation for the October 1st Parliamentary elections 
in Georgia. The international community is watching the election 
closely, and I would like to commend the Georgian government for 
facilitating both long and short term international election observers 
to ensure that both the pre-election environment and the election 
itself is conducted in accordance with international standards.
  It is critical that all political parties in Georgia participate 
constructively in the election process, and that campaign and election 
laws are followed and applied fairly and transparently. I call on all 
political forces to accept the election results as legitimate, if 
deemed so by credible, international election observers.
  I believe more must be done to ensure that smaller political parties 
have access to the main televised media platforms of both the ruling 
party and opposition. The `must offer, must carry' provisions passed by 
the Georgian Parliament are a step in the right direction, and I urge 
the Parliament to consider making these provisions permanent.
  I would like to commend the National Democratic Institute, the 
International Republican Institute and the OSCE for their work with 
both the Georgian government and opposition to ensure that peaceful, 
credible elections take place. It is crucial that the Georgian 
electorate and the international community has confidence in this 
process, in order for Georgia to continue on its path towards 
democratic and economic reforms, and continued Euro-Atlantic 
integration.
  Georgia remains a critical ally, and one of the strongest pro-western 
countries which has proven itself immensely capable in Afghanistan and 
other conflict zones, currently as the largest non-NATO troop 
contributing nation to ISAF.
  NATO allies agreed at the recent summit in Chicago to enhance 
Georgia's connectivity with the Alliance. Georgia's ability to build on 
reforms made to date to foster greater political competition, labor 
rights and judicial independence will be an opportunity for Georgia to 
prove itself when measured by international standards. Georgia's NATO 
aspirations will be facilitated by the ability to meet those standards 
and conduct free, fair and inclusive elections in 2012 and 2013.
  I commend the Georgian government's progress on transparency and the 
fight against

[[Page E1609]]

corruption, as well as political, economic and judicial reforms, and 
encourage Georgia to continue this modernization process regardless of 
the election results.
  I encourage my colleagues to support H. Res. 526 in order to 
strengthen U.S. engagement with the Republic of Georgia by helping 
Georgia to enhance its security and restore its territorial integrity 
through peaceful means, and supporting the Government of Georgia's 
commitment to a policy of peaceful and constructive engagement with the 
authorities in control of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

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