[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5136-H5139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF GEORGIA
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 660) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives to support the territorial integrity of Georgia.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 660
Whereas since 1993, the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Georgia have been reaffirmed by the
international community in all United Nations Security
Council resolutions on Georgia;
Whereas the Government of Georgia has pursued a peaceful
resolution of the conflict with Russia over Georgia's
territories of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South
Ossetia;
Whereas principle IV of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975
states that, ``The participating States will respect the
territorial integrity of each of the participating States.
Accordingly, they will refrain from any action inconsistent
with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations against the territorial integrity, political
independence or the unity of any participating State, and in
particular from any such action constituting a threat or use
of force . . . and participating States will likewise refrain
from making each other's territory the object of military
occupation.'';
Whereas the Charter of the United Nations states that,
``All Members shall refrain in their international relations
from the threat or use of force against the territorial
integrity or political independence of any state.'';
Whereas the recognition by the Government of the Russian
Federation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia on
August 26, 2008, was in violation of the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Georgia and contradicting principles
of Helsinki Final Act of 1975, the Charter of the United
Nations as well as the August 12, 2008, Ceasefire Agreement;
Whereas the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic
Partnership, 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 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 the Tskhinvali
region/South Ossetia;
Whereas the August 2008 war between the Russian Federation
and Georgia resulted in civilian and military casualties, the
violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Georgia, and large numbers of internally displaced persons;
Whereas the annual United Nations General Assembly
Resolution on the ``Status of Internally Displaced Persons
and Refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali
region/South Ossetia, Georgia'', recognizes the right of
return of all internally displaced persons and refugees and
their descendants, regardless of ethnicity, as well as their
property rights, remains unfulfilled;
Whereas the Russian Federation is building barbed wire
fences and installing, so-
[[Page H5137]]
called ``border signs'' and other artificial barriers along
the occupation line and depriving the people residing within
the occupied regions and in the adjacent areas of their
fundamental rights and freedoms, including, but not limited
to the freedom of movement, family life, education in their
native language, and other civil and economic rights;
Whereas the August 12, 2008, Ceasefire Agreement, agreed to
by the Governments of the Russian Federation and Georgia--
(1) provides that all troops of the Russian Federation
shall be withdrawn to pre-war positions;
(2) provides that free access shall be granted to
organizations providing humanitarian assistance in regions
affected by the violence in August 2008; and
(3) launched the Geneva International Discussions between
Georgia and the Russian Federation;
Whereas, on November 23, 2010, Georgian President
Saakashvili declared before the European Parliament that
``Georgia will never use force to restore its territorial
integrity and sovereignty.'';
Whereas, on March 7, 2013, the bipartisan Resolution of the
Parliament of Georgia on Basic Directions of Georgia's
Foreign Policy confirmed ``Georgia's commitment for the non-
use of force, pledged by the President of Georgia in his
address to the international community from the European
Parliament in Strasburg on November 23, 2010.'';
Whereas, on June 27, 2014, in the Association Agreement
between Georgia and the European Union, Georgia reaffirmed
its commitment ``to restore its territorial integrity in
pursuit of a peaceful and lasting conflict resolution, of
pursuing the full implementation of'' the August 12, 2008,
ceasefire agreement;
Whereas despite the unilateral legally binding commitment
to the non-use of force pledged by the Georgian Government,
the Russian Federation still refuses to reciprocate with its
own legally binding non-use of force pledge;
Whereas the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is
still denied access to the occupied regions of Abkhazia and
the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, despite the fact that
its mandate covers the whole territory of Georgia within its
internationally recognized borders;
Whereas the Russian Federation continues to enhance its
military bases illegally stationed in occupied regions of
Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia without the
consent of the Government of Georgia or a mandate from the
United Nations or other multilateral organizations;
Whereas the Russian Federation continues the process of
aggression carried out against Georgia since the early 1990s
and occupation of Georgia's territories following the August
2008 Russia-Georgia War;
Whereas the Russian Federation's policy vis-a-vis Georgia
and the alarming developments in the region illustrate that
Moscow does not accept the independent choice of sovereign
states and strives for the restoration of zones of influence
in the region, including through the use of force,
occupation, factual annexation, and other aggressive acts;
and
Whereas the United States applied the doctrine of non-
recognition in 1940 to the countries of Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania, and every Presidential administration of the
United States honored this doctrine until independence was
restored to those countries in 1991: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the policy, popularly known as the ``Stimson
Doctrine'', of the United States to not recognize territorial
changes effected by force, and affirms that this policy
should continue to guide the foreign policy of the United
States;
(2) condemns the military intervention and occupation of
Georgia by the Russian Federation and its continuous illegal
activities along the occupation line in Abkhazia and
Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia;
(3) calls upon the Russian Federation to withdraw its
recognition of Georgia's territories of Abkhazia and the
Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia as independent countries, to
refrain from acts and policies that undermine the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Georgia, and to take steps to
fulfill all the terms and conditions of the August 12, 2008,
Ceasefire Agreement between Georgia and the Russian
Federation;
(4) stresses the necessity of progress on core issues
within the Geneva International Discussions, including a
legally binding pledge from Russia on the non-use of force,
the establishment of international security arrangements in
the occupied regions of Georgia, and the safe and dignified
return of internally displaced persons and refugees to the
places of their origin;
(5) urges the United States Government to declare
unequivocally that the United States will not recognize the
de jure or de facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation
over any part of Georgia, its airspace, or its territorial
waters, including Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South
Ossetia under any circumstances;
(6) urges the United States Administration to deepen
cooperation with Georgia in all areas of the United States-
Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, including Georgia's
advancement towards Euro-Atlantic integration;
(7) urges the United States Administration to place
emphasis on enhancing Georgia's security through joint
military trainings and providing self-defensive capabilities
in order to enhance Georgia's independent statehood and
national sovereignty; and
(8) affirms that a free, united, democratic, and sovereign
Georgia is in the long-term interest of the United States as
it promotes peace and stability in the region.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include any extraneous material for the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Poe), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on
Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, and he is the author of this
measure.
Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the chairman of the committee and the
ranking member for their support on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I was in Georgia in 2008 when the Russians invaded that
sovereign country and took one-fifth of their nation away from them. I
saw the Russian tanks on the hill, and, unfortunately, many years
later, those Russian tanks are still on the hills of Georgia.
Russia is a cancer in the area. It is trying to infiltrate countries
in the region, trying to spread its propaganda and conquering ideas to
the former Soviet Republics. Russian troops maintain a stranglehold on
the occupied territories of Georgia. Russians have forced ethnic
Georgians to leave and have forbidden everyone who still lives there
from speaking the Georgian language or from traveling to Georgia. The
illegal Russian occupation of Georgia is not a simple matter of
territory--it is an attack on ideas; it is an assault on the very
freedoms and liberties that are God given.
Georgia is a small and young democracy despite the rough neighborhood
that it lives in--surrounded by corrupt dictators, including Russia. In
fact, over the past 25 years, Georgia has become the freest nation in
the region. It has championed good governance, economic reform, and
democracy while combating corruption and ensuring press freedom. This
is no small achievement. I have met with the first Georgian Government
and the second Georgian Government and have met with many of their
officials. Mostly, I have met with the people of Georgia, and they are
freedom-loving individuals.
Georgia sets up a strong contrast to the authoritarian Putin up
north. Putin does not like having a beacon of freedom shining brightly
from the south with his imperial aggression kingdom looking down on
them. This is exactly why Putin decided to invade Georgia 8 years ago.
Georgia represents the democratic potential in the region. Putin would
like nothing more than to cause unrest and turmoil in Georgia, like he
has done in other nations, including in Ukraine.
Georgia is a strong ally of the United States. Georgia has more
troops in Afghanistan who are fighting alongside our troops than any
non-NATO ally, and it has made hard reforms in order to join NATO and
the European Union.
This resolution expresses our solidarity with Georgia. I am proud to
be a co-chair, along with the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly),
of the Georgia Caucus. This resolution condemns Russia's illegal
occupation of Georgian territory, and it sends a clear message to Putin
that the United States will never recognize his control over any part
of Georgia.
Our friends in Georgia and the region must know that the United
States will not waver in its longstanding support for its allies in the
face of the Napoleon of Siberia. We must be clear about our commitment
to our friends. Instead of retreating from the world stage, the United
States must deepen its relationships with our allies. Georgia is a
valuable ally threatened by the cold Russian winds of authoritarianism.
John F. Kennedy, our President 50 years ago,
[[Page H5138]]
said that we would support any friend who believes in freedom.
It is time we step up and support the nation of Georgia. I urge my
colleagues to support this important resolution and send a signal to
our enemies and our friends all over the world that the United States
means it when it says it will support its allies.
And that is just the way it is.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of this measure.
I am glad that Mr. Poe said, ``That is just the way it is,'' because
I agree. It is just the way it is. I agree with everything he says, and
I want to thank him and Mr. Connolly for their work on this very timely
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin is
doing everything in his power to steamroll the efforts of the U.S. and
our allies over many decades to build a Europe that is whole, free, and
at peace; and we shouldn't forget that the illegal occupation of Crimea
and parts of eastern Ukraine isn't the first time he has trampled on
his neighbors' territorial integrity.
Last month, we marked 8 years since Russian troops moved into
Georgia, where they remain to this day. Now, I believe keeping Georgia
out of NATO in 2008 was a terrible mistake, and, indeed, then-President
Medvedev cited the alliance's failure to put out the welcome mat for
Georgia as a signal that Russia needed to push across the border.
{time} 1645
Yet, even with its sovereignty fractured for eight years, Georgia
will soon write another chapter in its history of freedom and democracy
by holding parliamentary elections.
We went to a celebration--and, I believe Mr. Poe was there--
celebrating the 25th anniversary of freedom from communism by Georgia.
Your heart really has to go out to the Georgian people and what they
have been able to accomplish under very, very adverse circumstances.
Georgia was a part of the Soviet Union for so many years. It was
clear that they didn't wish to be, but they were forced to be. Then
when the Soviet Union collapsed, Georgia, of course, was an independent
country and declared so, but that wasn't good enough for Mr. Putin.
So the resolution we are considering today reaffirms the commitment
of the United States to our partners in Georgia. We believe that
Georgia's territorial integrity should be restored, just as with
Ukraine. We do not recognize Russia's occupation of parts of that
country as legitimate, and we never will. I think we have to state that
again. The Russian occupation of parts of Georgia is illegal, and
Georgia should remain whole and free, and the Russians ought to get
out.
We view Georgia's democracy and vibrant society as a beacon in an
increasingly challenging part of the world, and we continue to believe
that the door should be open to Georgia to work with us. I continue to
believe that the door should remain open to Georgia for both NATO and
the EU membership.
I am glad to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, since it regained its independence back in 1991 with the
collapse of the Soviet Empire at the time, Georgia has repeatedly
proven that it is indeed a strong partner of the United States.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to sever our connection in
order to reestablish Russia's domination over Georgia. That is part of
the problem here. Ever since he came to power in 2000, President Putin
has pursued an aggressive policy toward Georgia that has included
economic coercion, armed conflict, and occupation of the regions of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This is similar to his ongoing campaign,
frankly, against Ukraine where Russia has annexed Crimea outright.
President Putin has these territorial ambitions in Georgia as well
and is promoting separatist forces in Abkhazia and in South Ossetia
with the ultimate goal of annexing those regions outright or in all but
name. In fact, Russia has already formally recognized these two regions
as independent countries.
As part of that effort, Russia is using its enormous propaganda
machine to convince the Georgian people that the U.S. and the west have
abandoned them and that they have no option but to submit to Moscow and
to submit to its imperial ambitions.
This strategy will soon be put to the test. It is going to be put to
the test in Georgia's parliamentary elections on October 8 because
Moscow is hoping that its campaign of disinformation will convince the
Georgian people that they are alone and helpless and that they must
give up close ties with the west or they will face greater hardship.
Our broadcasts through Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty should be an
important counter to this harmful propaganda.
By voting overwhelmingly for this resolution, the House will send a
powerful message that will be heard, not only throughout Georgia, but
in the Kremlin as well, and that message is the United States will not
accept Russia's efforts to undermine Georgia's sovereignty and their
territorial integrity and that we will always remain a strong partner
of this embattled democracy and of the brave Georgian people.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford).
Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce so much for his
indulgence in terms of time.
I had the pleasure of going to Georgia over the recess with
Congressman Duncan, and we had an incredible experience in that we saw
firsthand the very thing that you are talking about with regard to the
Russian occupation of nearly 20 percent of the landmass of Georgia. It
is having a real-world impact in terms of a threat to that part of the
region, a threat in terms of investment, and a threat in terms of
further economic development to that country.
What has been, I think, impressive are the market reforms that have
taken place there, the way that the economy has burgeoned as a
consequence of those market reforms, but, again, the way in which the
Russian threat threatens all of that in terms of the growing democratic
movement, the growing economy, and the change in people's lives.
So I just want to praise the gentleman from California and thank him
for bringing this resolution to the floor because I think it does make
a difference in terms of a signal to that part of the world wherein
people that we met with and saw firsthand are seeing the consequence of
the Russian occupation.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
It is clear that Vladimir Putin has no regard for his neighbor's
sovereignty, and I think we should be doing more to push back against
Russia's aggression.
We also need to take every chance we get to make clear that his past
bad behavior is not acceptable. Russia's illegal occupation, as we have
said of Georgia, has gone on for too long. He has occupied other places
as well: Moldova, Crimea, and Ukraine, which is part of Crimea. If we
just let him do this, there will be no end in sight. The United States
has to really be strong about this.
I am glad we are sending this message today that we stand with the
people of Georgia. We want to see their country made whole again, and
we will never accept Russia's illegal claims.
I am glad to support this measure. I urge my colleagues to do the
same. Again, this is a bipartisan resolution because we all oppose
aggression, and Abkhazia and South Ossetia should not be occupied. It
should go back and be part of the rest of the country in a free and
independent Georgia.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would just close by acknowledging again and thanking Judge Poe,
Chairman Poe, a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and
author of this measure, for this resolution and for his focus to see
that we collectively send a clear and powerful message to the people of
Georgia and to President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. is and will
remain a steadfast friend of this embattled democracy.
[[Page H5139]]
I would also add that Judge Poe's resolution comes at a crucial time
because the Kremlin is trying to convince the Georgian people that we
have abandoned them and that they have no choice but to submit to
Moscow.
I think by passing this resolution we will send our own message. We
will send a powerful message of support to the people of Georgia and
ensure that, when the Georgians cast their vote in next month's
parliamentary elections, they will do so confident that the American
people will stand by them.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
this resolution (H. Res. 660) to support the territorial integrity of
Georgia.
I want to thank my good friends and colleagues Mr. Poe and Mr.
Connolly for introducing this excellent resolution, which condemns
Russia's ongoing illegal activities along the occupation line in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Mr. Speaker, Russia's invasion and occupation of Georgian territory
violates the Helsinki Final Act, as well as the core principles of
several multilateral agreements, the Budapest Memorandum, and the
United Nations Charter. The United States has not recognized Russia's
illegal attempt to separate Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia as
legitimate in any way--and this resolution sends a powerful message
that in this policy the administration has the full support of
Congress.
I was in Georgia in August, 2008, arriving about two weeks after the
Russian invasion. The human suffering generated by the invasion was
immense, with over 192,000 people displaced and several hundred killed.
Several of my constituents found themselves trapped behind Russian
lines in South Ossetia—we were able to get them out with help
from our very capable ambassador, John Tefft, now serving as our
ambassador to Russia, and the assistance of another country's
diplomatic mission.
The Russian occupation of Georgian territory is a festering sore
that has not healed in the eight years that have elapsed since the
invasion.
Mr. Speaker, the resolution notes: ``the Russian Federation is
building barbed wire fences and installing, so-called `border signs'
and other artificial barriers along the occupation line and depriving
the people residing within the occupied regions and in the adjacent
areas of their fundamental rights and freedoms.''
Mr. Speaker, I saw this new Iron Curtain with my own eyes in July. I
was in Georgia, leading the U.S. Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, and made a visit to what our embassy calls the occupation
line with some of my congressional colleagues. We looked over Russia's
fortified line from an observation platform--and what we saw reminded
me of the old Soviet Union. The Russian troops came to the checkpoint
and made people wait upwards of 12 hours to cross over with foodstuffs
and reach people on the other side. A Russian guard used a camera to
film me and the other members who were standing on the platform.
Tensions were thick.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution comes at a timely moment, as Georgia
prepares for its parliamentary elections in October. It reminds
Georgians as they prepare to go to the polls that the U.S. supports
them in their efforts to develop a sovereign, independent, and
prosperous country.
I thank my good friend Mr. Poe for introducing this resolution in
support of Georgia and urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 660,
expressing support for the territorial integrity of Georgia.
I want to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for shepherding this
measure through the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
I introduced this resolution with my colleague and fellow co-chair of
the Congressional Caucus on Georgia, Judge Ted Poe.
It serves as a clear and unequivocal statement in support of the
sovereign territory of Georgia and it reiterates the longstanding
policy of the United States to not recognize territorial changes
effected by force, as dictated by the Stimson Doctrine--established in
1932 by then Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson.
In Georgia and elsewhere in the region, Russia has committed gross
violations of these principles by fomenting unrest and aiding
separatist movements in the countries along its periphery.
Foundational multilateral agreements reached for the purpose of
maintaining a peaceful and stable international order, such as the
Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and the Charter of the United Nations, have
been willfully disregarded by Russia at Putin's behest.
This resolution condemns strongly the forcible and illegal occupation
of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions in Georgia, and calls on
Russia to withdraw its troops from the territories.
Russian forces continue to harass civilian communities along the
administrative boundary line and impede the right of return of
internally displaced persons.
This resolution is about restoring the territorial integrity of a
sovereign state and upholding the commitments and promise of the U.S.-
Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership--a framework founded on
support for each other's sovereignty, the strengthening of Georgian
democracy, and the Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia.
Support for this resolution would be consistent with the recent
Warsaw Summit Communique issued by the NATO Heads of State and
Government on July 9, 2016 in which NATO reaffirmed its support for the
territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Georgia.
I would ask that my colleagues support this important and timely
resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Yoder). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res 660.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________