Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that relief and reconstruction funds for Georgia should be transferred from U.S. assistance programs now operating in Russia or benefiting the Russian government.

"It seems increasingly apparent that Russia’s Vladimir Putin is intent on forcing a change in the government of Georgia with the objective of gaining de facto control over that country and its strategic energy pipeline route," said Ros-Lehtinen in her letter to President Bush. "Russia’s invasion of Georgia must be met with a strong response by the United States and our allies," she added.

• In addition to accelerated U.S. aid to Georgia, including assistance to rebuild its defense forces, Ros-Lehtinen urged the U.S. to respond to Russia's aggression by:
• calling for Moscow’s immediate expulsion from the G-8 group of nations;
• imposing an immediate ban on visas for entry into the U.S. by Russian officials and businessmen;
• initiating security consultations with nations neighboring Russia; and
• immediately withdrawing from Congressional consideration the proposed U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation agreement ("123 Agreement").
• "I cannot reconcile the invasion of Georgia by Russia and the enormous destruction it has wrought on average Georgians with the continuation of full funding for our programs in Russia at this time," said Ros-Lehtinen.

Ros-Lehtinen also urged the Administration to convene a meeting with European allies to secure additional commitments for stabilization and reconstruction funds for Georgia. "Such a conference would also send a strong message of support to the Georgian people and their government, and would demonstrate to the Putin regime in Moscow that we have no intention of abandoning Georgia or other countries in the region to Russia's imperialist aggression and coercion," said Ros-Lehtinen.

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