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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1544 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1544

Reaffirming the strength of the relationship between the United States 
                      and the Republic of Georgia.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 20, 2010

  Ms. Schwartz (for herself and Mr. Shuster) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Reaffirming the strength of the relationship between the United States 
                      and the Republic of Georgia.

Whereas the August 2008 military conflict between the Republic of Georgia and 
        the Russian Federation resulted in the destruction of significant 
        infrastructure and property, vast humanitarian requirements, and a 
        further weakening of relations between the Government of Georgia and 
        their breakaway regions;
Whereas according to the report by the Independent International Fact-Finding 
        Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, the Russia-Georgia military conflict 
        resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 1,000 military, law enforcement, 
        and civilian lives and over 100,000 internally displaced persons;
Whereas since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has been continually 
        reaffirmed by the international community, international law, and 32 
        United Nations Security Council resolutions;
Whereas despite the six-point agreement signed by Georgia and Russia on August 
        12, 2008, which requires both sides to withdraw all forces to their pre-
        conflict positions, thousands of Russian forces remain in Abkhazia and 
        South Ossetia;
Whereas the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), the Organization for 
        Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations 
        Observer Mission in Georgia have been blocked in their efforts to 
        observe humanitarian and political conditions in Abkhazia and South 
        Ossetia;
Whereas the United States supports Georgia's sovereignty and right to choose its 
        own alliances, and recognizes the areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as 
        occupied territories within the international borders of the Republic of 
        Georgia;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) continues 
        to assist Georgia in strengthening domestic governance, improving 
        economic and energy stability, and in providing housing and social 
        service assistance to internally displaced persons;
Whereas the United States also provides significant assistance in 
        infrastructure, enterprise, and businesses development through the 
        congressionally created Millennium Challenge Corporation;
Whereas the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership, signed in January 2009, 
        outlines the importance of the bilateral relationship as well as the 
        intent of both countries to expand democracy and economic programs, 
        enhance defense and security cooperation, further trade and energy 
        cooperation, and build people-to-people cultural exchanges;
Whereas Georgia has initiated positive developments in the areas of 
        constitutional reforms, strengthening the role of Parliament, 
        institutionalizing judicial independence, and utilizing international 
        election organizations;
Whereas OSCE determined that Georgia's May 2010 municipal elections ``were 
        marked by clear improvements and efforts by the authorities to address 
        problems occurring during the [election] process'';
Whereas the assessment report concluded that while these elections ``marked 
        progress toward meeting international election standards'', significant 
        reforms were still required in voter and candidacy rights, the 
        establishment of a level playing field for all candidates, and media 
        freedoms and clarification on electoral procedures and competence; and
Whereas Georgia continues to make important contributions to Operation Enduring 
        Freedom and is currently the second highest per capita contributor of 
        troops to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led 
        International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the close and enduring relationship between 
        the United States and the Republic of Georgia;
            (2) remembers the victims of the August 2008 military 
        conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation;
            (3) reaffirms its support for a peaceful, secure future for 
        the region and for the unification of Georgia;
            (4) supports the implementation of the United States-
        Georgia Strategic Partnership and the continued growth of 
        bilateral relations; and
            (5) encourages Georgia to strengthen its democracy by 
        implementing reforms that expand media transparency and 
        freedoms, increase government transparency, accountability, and 
        responsiveness, promote political competition and democratic 
        electoral processes, strengthen the rule of law, and implement 
        judicial reforms.
                                 <all>
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