Verbatim, as delivered

September 17, 2008

Chairman Berman’s remarks H.R. 6911, the Stabilization and Democracy for Georgia (the STAND for Georgia Act)

Last week, this committee held a hearing on the August conflict between Russia and Georgia. One of the key questions we discussed was how to rebuild Georgia most quickly and effectively in the aftermath of Russia’s use of disproportionate force against its sovereign neighbor.

The “STAND for Georgia Act” helps answer that question by authorizing assistance to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Georgian people in the wake of the crisis. By adopting this bill, Congress will express its solidarity with the Georgian people and its desire to help them rebuild their infrastructure.

I'd particularly like to thank the Ranking Member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, whose assistance was essential to bringing this bill before the committee so quickly.

On September 3^rd, President Bush announced a billion-dollar aid package. He pledged that 470 million dollars would be reprogrammed from unobligated money from Fiscal Year 2008. He also called for 530 million dollars to be included in Fiscal Year 2009 regular and supplemental appropriations.

The “STAND for Georgia Act” expresses support for the full aid package. However, it only authorizes the expenditure of the reprogrammed Fiscal Year 2008 funds. This ensures that nearly half of the assistance pledged by the United States will reach Georgia this year. These funds will enable the Georgian government to respond to immediate humanitarian needs and shore up its financial system to retain the confidence of foreign investors.

When Congressman, Miller and I were in Georgia last month, it was generally acknowledged that this would be about the amount of money that – along with what other countries are providing – that could be utilized in the immediate future and would be adequate to help that recovery.

I intend to address the remaining balance of this assistance package in the next Congress when we’re dealing with Fiscal Year 2009 authorization and appropriations – and will now take this opportunity to manifest the intent that in the next congress, assuming I am where I am, we will be dealing with a Fiscal Year 2009 authorization bill.

This congressional authorization, like the President’s aid package, responds to direct requests from the Georgian government for targeted aid.

First, it supplies humanitarian relief to individuals who were displaced during the conflict. This includes the provision of medical care and housing facilities, reconstruction of civilian and administrative infrastructure, and assistance to facilitate the return and resettlement of the many internally displaced persons.

Second, the bill authorizes the reconstruction of critical infrastructure destroyed during the conflict. It includes direct US budgetary support to the Government of Georgia to replace funds it expects to pay for emergency reconstruction as well as money to help address environmental damage. Congress expects the Administration to conduct careful oversight of this expenditure, to keep the Committee fully informed of such efforts and to submit a report to the Committee that fully accounts for the use of the funds.

Third, the bill seeks to assist the Government of Georgia in leading the country’s economic recovery. In particular, the bill authorizes assistance to develop critical infrastructure that enhances Georgia’s energy security and encourages diversification of its suppliers. It calls for the enhancement of trade links between our countries. And it includes measures intended to retain Georgia’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign direct investment.

The “STAND for Georgia Act” also contains several provisions that seek to strengthen the President’s proposed aid plan. By passing this authorization bill, Congress has the opportunity to express its views on additional priorities for the reconstruction of Georgia.

First, the President’s package contains nothing to encourage the accountability, inclusiveness and transparency of Georgia’s political institutions. As such omissions have been identified as a weakness of U.S. policy toward Georgia, this bill seeks to rectify this oversight by authorizing assistance to strengthen Georgia’s democratic institutions, civil society and independent media.

We also seek to extend broadcasting efforts by the Broadcasting Board of Governors, Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. The conflict between Russia and Georgia reinforced the need for accurate and unbiased reporting in the post-Soviet space.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that any money taken by the Administration from the Freedom Support Act and Support for Eastern European Democracy accounts to fund Georgian reconstruction should be replenished in next year’s appropriation. While drawing from these accounts may be one of the most expeditious ways to get money to Georgia, this money provides valuable support to many struggling democracies in Eurasia. U.S. aid to Georgia should not come at the expense of its neighbors or other priorities in the region.

Finally, I note that the ripple effects of this crisis were clearly felt beyond Georgia’s borders. The United States is grateful to the Armenian government for providing safe transit for American and international officials, relatives of diplomats and NGO representatives, and Georgian nationals. Although this bill does not include funding for other countries in the Caucasus region, it is my intention when we consider the authorization of assistance next year to examine the wider impact of this conflict and provide appropriate funding for Armenia and other affected countries. 

There is strong bipartisan backing for a robust response to the economic and humanitarian crisis and for the delivery of urgently needed aid to an ally. The passage of this bill will demonstrate to the Georgian people that support. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure, allowing the House to add its voice to those calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and a prosperous future for Georgia.