III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 139 

Expressing support for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 12, 2005 

Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. FRIST, and Mr. MCCAIN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the withdrawal of Russian troops 

from Georgia. 

Whereas, on April 9, 1991, the Republic of Georgia declared 

independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; 

Whereas, during December 1991, the Republic of Georgia 

was internationally recognized as an independent and 

sovereign country following the formal dissolution of the 

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; 

Whereas the disposition of former Soviet troops stationed in 

certain newly independent countries was resolved by 1994 

with the complete withdrawal of Russian Federation military personnel from the Republics of Estonia, Latvia, 

and Lithuania; 
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•SRES 139 ATS

Whereas in the years following the restoration of Georgian 

independence, successive governments of Georgia sought 

to negotiate the closure of Russian military bases located 

in, and the withdrawal of military personnel from, Georgia; 

Whereas, during the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe summit at Istanbul, Turkey in 1999, 

Georgia and Russia concluded a bilateral agreement as 

part of the Adapted Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty; 

Whereas as part of such bilateral agreement, which is known 

as the ‘‘Istanbul Commitments’’, on November 17, 1999, 

Russia committed to close bases at Gudauta and Vaziani 

by July 1, 2001, and committed to conclude negotiations 

on bases at Batumi and Akhalkalaki, and all other Russian military facilities during 2000; 

Whereas Russia has failed to fulfill its obligations under the 

Istanbul Commitments; 

Whereas more than 3,000 Russian military personnel remain 

in Georgia at various bases and facilities throughout the 

country; 

Whereas, during November 2003, the Georgian people, in the 

historic ‘‘Rose Revolution’’, peacefully protested fraudulent elections resulting in the holding of new elections 

and the installation of a new government committed to 

democracy, the rule of law, observance of human rights, 

restoration of sovereignty, and economic development; 

and 

Whereas on March 10, 2005, the democratically elected Parliament of the Republic of Georgia passed a measure ex-
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•SRES 139 ATS

pressing its dissatisfaction with Russia’s continued military presence in Georgia: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) it is the sense of the Senate that— 

3 (A) the Russian Federation should respect 

4 the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the 

5 Republic of Georgia; 

6 (B) President Mikheil Saakashvili and the 

7 Government and people of Georgia deserve con8 gratulations for the accomplishments and suc9 cessful reforms carried out in Georgia since 

10 President Mikheil Saakashvili’s inauguration in 

11 January 2004, and that the United States 

12 should continue to support such reforms and 

13 should encourage and assist Georgia with 

14 strengthening its democratic institutions and 

15 resolving its separatist conflicts peacefully; and 

16 (C) the United States should continue to 

17 support Georgia in its efforts to negotiate an 

18 agreement for ending Russia’s military presence 

19 in Georgia, in accordance with Russia’s obliga20 tions under the bilateral agreement made be21 tween Russia and Georgia as part of the Adapt22 ed Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty 

23 known as the ‘‘Istanbul Commitments’’; and 

24 (2) the Senate— 
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•SRES 139 ATS

1 (A) supports the efforts of President Bush 

2 to encourage Russia and Georgia to expedi3 tiously reach agreement on the closure of Rus4 sian military bases in, and the withdrawal of 

5 military personnel from, Georgia; 

6 (B) commends President Bush for being 

7 the first United States President to visit Geor8 gia since its recognition as an independent and 

9 sovereign country; and 

10 (C) will continue to monitor the situation 

11 in Georgia closely. 

Æ