[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 1727-1728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 33--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE 
   UNITED STATES SHOULD EXPAND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPUBLIC OF 
GEORGIA BY COMMENCING NEGOTIATIONS TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

  Mr. LUGAR submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Finance:

                               S. Res. 33

       Whereas, in the November 2003 Rose Revolution, the people 
     of the Republic of Georgia

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     protested fraudulent elections in a non-violent manner and 
     demanded a fair election, resulting in a democratically 
     elected new government;
       Whereas, based on commitments to maintain an open economy 
     and adhere to free trade principles including the reduction 
     and elimination of trade barriers, Georgia was granted 
     membership in the World Trade Organization on June 14, 2000;
       Whereas, Georgia was found to have accorded its citizens 
     the right to emigrate, travel freely, and to return to their 
     country without restriction meeting the human rights criteria 
     consistent with the objectives of the Trade Act of 1974, and 
     based on these findings was granted permanent normal trade 
     relations through a waiver of Jackson-Vanik sanctions in 
     2000;
       Whereas, in 1994, Georgia concluded a bilateral investment 
     treaty with the United States, its largest source of foreign 
     direct investment, in order to promote and facilitate non-
     discriminatory, open and fair commercial policies;
       Whereas, the United States is Georgia's largest trading 
     partner and the commercial relationship presents an 
     opportunity for American companies to expand and prosper;
       Whereas, the Georgian government has made significant 
     efforts to promote regional cooperation and peaceful conflict 
     resolution;
       Whereas Georgia has demonstrated a commitment to 
     responsible facilitation of the energy resources located 
     within the region;
       Whereas, Georgia has taken important steps toward the 
     creation of democratic institutions and a free-market economy 
     and, as a participating state of the Organization for 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), is committed to 
     developing a system of governance in accordance with the 
     principles regarding human rights and humanitarian affairs 
     that are set forth in the Final Act of the Conference on 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the 
     ``Helsinki Final Act''); and
       Whereas the United States is committed to aiding in 
     regional development, economic integration and supporting 
     democracy in the South Caucuses: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the 
     United States should expand its relationship with the 
     Republic of Georgia by commencing negotiations to enter into 
     a free trade agreement.

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