House Resolution Condemns Russia for Dangerous Policies That Undermine Georgian Sovereignty
Urges UN Secretary General to Investigate MiG-29 Downing of Georgian Aircraft

(Washington, DC) Today Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Howard Berman (D-CA), Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced a resolution condemning the Russian government for enacting policies that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia.  The resolution brings attention to Russia's disturbing policies that negatively impact peacemaking efforts undertaken by Georgia and the international community in the conflict areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 

"I join my colleagues in Congress in denouncing Russia's dangerous policies that do nothing to advance peace and which threaten to destabilize Georgia and the entire Caucasus region," said Congressman Wexler. "It is clear that the actions undertaken by Moscow over the past several weeks are a clear attempt to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty and impede reconciliation between Abkhaz’s and South Ossetians with the government of Georgia. It is unfortunate that Moscow has decided to establish 'official ties' with Abkhazia and South Ossetia instead of reaching out to Georgian President Saakashvili whose constructive proposals to resolve territorial conflicts have been met with growing belligerence from Russia."

The House resolution denounces Russia's policies in Abkhazia and South Ossetia while urging President Putin's government to revoke Russian efforts to undermine the sovereignty of Georgia.  It also calls praises President Saakashvili for his far-reaching peace proposals and urges Russia to work to toward a peaceful resolution of the conflicts occurring within Georgia's internationally recognized borders. Finally, the resolution calls on the United States Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to conduct an investigation into the April 20 downing of an unarmed Georgian reconnaissance aircraft by a Russian made MiG-29.

Rep. Alyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) Co Chairs of the Congressional Georgia Caucus as well as Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA), Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Rep. David Price (D-NC ), Rep. Michael McNulty (D-NY), Rep. Luis Fortuno (R-PR), and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), are also original sponsors of the resolution.

Access a copy of the resolution.

###

Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee; and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.

back to News