[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11958-11961]
[From the U.S. 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-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

[[Page 11959]]

     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, 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.

[[Page 11960]]

  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.
  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.

[[Page 11961]]

  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.

                          ____________________